Yankees Weigh Offseason Surgery for Anthony Volpe; SS Plans Remain

The New York Yankees are staring down another tough spot in a season that’s already had its share of swings. Starting shortstop Anthony Volpe—who came in with loads of hype and a Gold Glove already on his shelf—is now out with a left shoulder injury. Turns out, it’s a partial labrum tear, and it’s worse than most folks first thought.

Doctors aren’t calling for surgery right now, but Volpe’s future on the field looks murky at best. As the Yankees gear up for a crucial series against the Boston Red Sox, they’ll have to do it without their starting shortstop.

Volpe’s Injury: A Lingering Problem

Manager Aaron Boone said Volpe’s been battling this shoulder issue for a while. Medical staff think it actually goes back further than just this year.

That helps explain why his defense has slipped—a big drop from his rookie season, when he snagged that Gold Glove. Even last year, he was in the mix for defensive awards.

Impact on Both Sides of the Ball

General manager Brian Cashman pointed out that Volpe’s shoulder probably affected more than just his glove. His offense has dipped, too.

This year, Volpe’s put up just 0.6 fWAR, which is near the bottom among MLB shortstops. For someone once hailed as the Yankees’ next big thing in the infield, that’s a rough turn.

No Injured List for Now

The Yankees haven’t put Volpe on the injured list. Instead, they’re keeping a close eye on him day by day.

They’re hoping rest and a recent cortisone shot will get him back in time for the playoffs. After the season, he’ll get more imaging to see if surgery is needed in the winter.

Cautious but Optimistic Approach

Cashman said surgery after the season is still on the table. For now, though, they’re sticking with a non-surgical plan, hoping to keep Volpe in the mix for October.

It’s a tricky balance—trying to protect Volpe’s future while still chasing wins right now.

The Yankees’ Shortstop Situation

With Volpe out, José Caballero will keep holding down shortstop. He’s not the flashy defender Volpe is, but he gives the Yankees a steady hand as they head into must-win games.

Faith in Volpe’s Future

Even with Volpe’s offense lagging for a third straight year, Cashman says the team’s still all-in on him as their long-term shortstop. The Yankees figure that once he’s healthy, his defense will shine again—and maybe the bat comes around, too.

Volpe’s Career Arc So Far

Expectations shot through the roof after Volpe’s rookie year and that Gold Glove—pretty rare for a guy his age. But his bat never quite got rolling, and this year’s defensive slip has fans and analysts scratching their heads.

For the first time, he’s actually rated as a negative defender. That’s a big deal, considering his value leans so much on his fielding.

Can He Bounce Back?

The Yankees are crossing their fingers that a healthy Volpe can make a difference in October. The front office and coaches all seem to think his struggles are tied to the injury, not a loss of confidence or ability.

Still, it’s hard to ignore that Volpe’s first three seasons have been a real grind—lots of expectations, and plenty of bumps along the way.

Looking Ahead

For now, the plan is simple:

• Give Volpe rest during the Red Sox series
• Evaluate his response to treatment
• Repeat medical imaging after the season
• Figure out if he needs offseason surgery

This season, every game feels like it counts double. The Yankees need everyone to step up while Volpe sits out.

If Volpe makes it back in time for the postseason and looks more like his rookie self, the infield defense could get a real boost. That might even change the Yankees’ playoff outlook, though that’s probably wishful thinking right now.

The next few weeks are about both recovery and results. The Yankees still believe Volpe’s story as their star shortstop isn’t finished—far from it, honestly.

But for now, everything depends on how quickly he can heal. When the stakes get highest, that’s when they’ll really need him back.

—

Would you like me to also create a **meta description** and **SEO keywords** list for this post so it’s optimized for search engines?
 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees won’t rule out offseason surgery for Anthony Volpe; long-term SS plans remain