NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe rejoined the New York Yankees starting nine Tuesday evening following a two-game absence, yet the embattled shortstop’s brief respite delivered no offensive breakthrough in a 5-1 triumph over the Washington Nationals.
The 24-year-old fielder went 0-for-4, stretching his hitless drought to 19 plate appearances while worsening his concerning 1-for-32 tailspin. Volpe whiffed on MacKenzie Gore’s curveball during the third frame and recorded three flyouts, though his eighth-inning drive to the warning track drew praise from manager Aaron Boone for its 106 mph exit velocity.
Mini-benching produces no immediate impact
Corey Sipkin for New York Post
The Yankees anticipated a two-game sabbatical would spark Volpe’s escape from his extended offensive drought, which has plummeted his seasonal batting mark to .206. Monday marked his second complete rest day this campaign and initial benching since May 4.
Anthony Volpe occupied the eighth batting slot Tuesday for his 19th appearance there this year, signaling his current standing within the Yankees’ offensive hierarchy. His struggles have paralleled the team’s descent from AL East leadership to the second wild-card position.
“Hopefully he’ll start to turn the corner a little bit here offensively and get hot again for us,” Boone said. “It has been a rough run offensively for him.”
Defensive concerns add to offensive woes
Though Volpe captured Gold Glove honors during his 2023 rookie campaign, his fielding has deteriorated this season. He paces the American League with 17 miscues, including a damaging throwing error amid Boston’s seven-run ninth inning during Saturday’s 12-1 defeat.
The New York Yankees are getting absolutely embarrassed by their arch-rival the Boston Red Sox on their own field pic.twitter.com/L8BewLKHPI
The former top draft selection posted .209 with 21 long balls and 60 RBIs across 159 rookie contests. He elevated his average to .243 with 12 homers and 60 RBIs last season while batting .286 during the postseason run that carried the Yankees to the World Series.
This season finds Volpe with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs yet managing only .157 since June 15. The Yankees have gone 30-33 throughout that stretch.
Boone only compounding Volpe problem with his blind backing
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Despite Volpe’s prolonged offensive struggles, Boone declared the shortstop position secure for the immediate future. The skipper’s steadfast loyalty has sparked debate about whether the Yankees are overlooking chances to assess alternative options.
“He’s wired right for it, handles it,” Boone said before Tuesday’s contest. “Whether he’s going through a good stretch or a struggle, he’s always the same guy and such an important part of our team.”
Jose Caballero handled shortstop duties during Monday’s 10-5 Washington victory and Sunday’s 7-2 Boston triumph. The seasoned utility man has contributed steady production since his trade deadline arrival from Tampa Bay, though the Yankees regard him as organizational depth rather than direct competition for Volpe.
Boone’s public statements regarding Volpe’s continued role as primary shortstop might undercut the recent benching’s intended purpose. By immediately confirming Volpe’s job stability before his lineup return, the manager effectively signaled the two-game hiatus represented window dressing rather than authentic evaluation.
The contradictory communication creates mixed signals for both Volpe and potential replacements like Caballero. If the benching aimed to establish urgency or responsibility, Boone’s hasty confirmation of Volpe as the permanent answer weakened any competitive motivation that could have sparked better results.
Hitting coach acknowledges consistency challenges
Yankees hitting coach James Rowson conceded the organization cannot adequately explain Volpe’s erratic offensive output despite his dedicated preparation habits.
“It’s a hard question to answer, to be honest with you,” Rowson said. “There is really no real answer to say, ‘Hey, this is specifically why this guy is inconsistent. Sometimes you say that when a guy’s work is inconsistent, but there’s nothing inconsistent about the way he works.”
No batter with minimum 1,500 plate appearances since Volpe’s 2023 introduction has performed worse offensively than his 85 wRC+. His pairing of hitting woes with defensive decline has positioned him among baseball’s most ineffective regular players this season.
Despite accumulating evidence suggesting modifications may be warranted, the Yankees persist in voicing confidence regarding Volpe’s eventual turnaround. Boone stressed that successful offensive contributors emerge in different varieties.
“I think sometimes people want him — because he’s a shortstop with speed — he’s got to hit for a certain average and do certain things,” Boone said. “Productive offensive players come in many shapes and forms.”
Volpe has endured increasingly harsh criticism from Yankees supporters throughout his recent difficulties, with disapproval clearly audible during his appearances. The shortstop recognized the disappointment while welcoming the pressure accompanying New York baseball.
“I love that the fans care as much about winning as I do,” Volpe said. “This is what it means to be a Yankee. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You’ve got to earn everything here.”
“No one’s going to be as frustrated as I am,” he added. “But that frustration comes with the confidence and belief you have in yourself.”
Limited alternatives create organizational bind
The Yankees’ devotion to Volpe gains additional importance considering their restricted shortstop alternatives. Caballero offers positional flexibility yet remains classified as a utility choice rather than an everyday answer. The organization shipped Oswald Peraza to the Angels last month following his inability to secure major league footing.
Volpe’s post-All-Star surge, featuring a .298/.320/.766 slash line with seven homers across 13 contests, showcases his potential. Nevertheless, his complete offensive breakdown since August 1 has eclipsed those encouraging stretches.
“I’m truly not concerned in terms of whether or not Anthony Volpe is going to be a productive major-league hitter at this level,” Rowson said. “I completely believe that he is.”
With the Yankees approaching the regular season’s closing weeks, Volpe’s showing may influence both their postseason seeding and organizational shortstop philosophy moving ahead. Currently, Boone’s vocal backing indicates Volpe will keep receiving chances to resolve his struggles, whether or not this strategy benefits the team’s immediate championship goals.
