The New York Yankees confirmed what many fans had begun to suspect: Anthony Volpe isn’t just slumping — he’s hurt.
As first reported by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, the 24-year-old shortstop has been playing through a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder since May 3, when he felt a “pop” after a diving play in the field. Multiple cortisone shots — including one at the All-Star break and another this week — have helped him stay on the field, but manager Aaron Boone admitted Friday that a new MRI showed “a little bit more of a labrum tear.”
Still, the Yankees don’t expect to put Volpe on the injured list.
From Strong Start to Sharp Decline
The numbers paint a before-and-after picture that’s hard to ignore.
- Before the injury (33 games): .233/.326/.442, 10 doubles, 5 homers
- Since the injury (108 games): .197/.248/.378, AL-leading 19 errors
For a team fighting to stay in the postseason race, Volpe’s downturn has been glaring. Fans at Yankee Stadium have noticed too, with his defensive miscues often drawing boos. This injury makes sense, aligning with where the majority of his errors have occurred.
Yankees Manager Balances Volpe and Caballero
Boone has begun working José Caballero into the lineup more often, though he insists the shoulder isn’t the main reason for Volpe’s offensive struggles. Surgery after the season remains “not necessarily” expected, but more imaging is planned.
Volpe himself insists he feels “in a good spot,” crediting strong communication with Boone and the medical staff. But the Yankees’ margin for error is razor-thin — and Volpe’s health could be one of the swing factors in their playoff fate.
A Defining Variable Down the Stretch
This isn’t a minor ding. It’s a structural shoulder injury with real consequences. If Volpe can manage it and rediscover some of his April form, the Yankees’ infield gains stability and their October outlook brightens.
If not, the shortstop’s torn labrum could stand as one of the defining storylines of New York’s 2025 season — and one of the toughest challenges yet for the young cornerstone of the franchise.
