UPDATE: New York Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone has just confirmed that despite a significant offensive slump, Anthony Volpe remains the team’s primary shortstop. After being absent from the starting lineup for the second consecutive game against the Washington Nationals, Boone emphasized the team’s commitment to Volpe, planning to reinstate him as early as tomorrow.
“Regularly,” Boone stated when asked how often he expects to deploy Volpe for the remainder of the season. The manager noted, “I plan on having him back in there [Tuesday] and probably in there in some way, shape or form tonight.” This decision comes as the Yankees find themselves grappling with Volpe’s recent performance, which has seen him struggling at the plate, hitting just 1-for-28 with a mere walk and 11 strikeouts in his last 29 plate appearances.
This season has been turbulent for the 24-year-old homegrown player, who has not met the expectations set at the start of the year. Currently, Volpe is batting .208 with 18 home runs across 509 plate appearances, placing him at an 86 wRC+, ranking him 144th among qualified major-league hitters. Boone noted, “Production comes in a lot of different ways,” while emphasizing the need for Volpe to find consistency amidst the ups and downs of his game.
The Yankees have turned to Jose Caballero, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, to fill in for Volpe. Boone mentioned, “Hopefully, a little blow in the grind of the season is something that serves him well down the stretch.” This was just the sixth time this season the Yankees took the field without Volpe as their starting shortstop, highlighting the urgency of his return.
Volpe’s defensive play has also come under scrutiny, marked by a troubling regression this season. Once a Gold Glove Award winner and finalist last year, he now sits with a -7 Outs Above Average, ranking 21st among 24 qualified shortstops. Boone expressed confidence in Volpe’s resilience, stating, “I think he handles it quite well. This is just a young player… trying to find that next level of consistency.”
As the Yankees continue to navigate the season, all eyes will be on Volpe as he aims to reclaim his place and prove his capabilities on the field. With the pressure mounting, fans are hopeful that this “reset” will help him rebound effectively. The Yankees are set to face the Nationals again on Tuesday, making Volpe’s performance crucial for the team’s aspirations moving forward.
