NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone shifted his stance Tuesday night, breaking months of denial about Anthony Volpe’s health. For the first time all year, Boone admitted the shortstop’s shoulder injury might have played a role in his 2025 struggles.
The comment came as the Yankees trailed the Blue Jays by three games with 17 left on the schedule. Beat reporter Gary Phillips first shared Boone’s words on social media, marking a turning point in the team’s narrative.
What Boone actually said
Phillips posted the exchange that shed light on Volpe’s condition.
“Aaron Boone was asked if he thinks Anthony Volpe’s early-season shoulder injury has had a negative impact on him this season (both have previously downplayed the idea): ‘I think early on after that, maybe a little bit, but I think it’s something that’s also improved over the course of the year,'” Phillips reported.
Boone then added more:
“I feel like even lately it’s been in as good a place as it’s been. So, I don’t necessarily think that’s the case, but he’s also a very tough kid and a gamer. So, I don’t think so, but I guess I shouldn’t rule it out.”
After months of dismissing the injury, Boone’s careful wording left the door open to doubt.
The Volpe injury that started it all
The problem began May 3 against Tampa Bay. Volpe dove for a ground ball and landed hard on his shoulder. Trainers ran out as he stayed down longer than usual.
“Just felt like a pop in my shoulder,” Volpe said afterward. “It happened quick and it was scary, but after that, I felt okay and had my strength.”
Scans showed no structural damage, and the Yankees called it minor. Volpe kept playing. The team insisted the matter was closed.
The numbers don’t lie
Since that night, Volpe has looked like a different player. His slash line has sunk to .206, with 19 homers and 70 RBIs in 141 games. His on-base percentage has dropped to .268, far below expectations after his Gold Glove rookie year in 2023.
The defensive decline has been even worse. Last season, he ranked sixth among shortstops with 14 Outs Above Average. This year, he ranks 23rd out of 24 qualifiers with minus-8 OAA.
Volpe has committed 20 errors. Only Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz has more, with 23. Each mistake has added to the Bronx crowd’s frustration, with boos now a regular sound at Yankee Stadium.
Why this moment matters
The timing of Boone’s admission could not be more critical. New York is running out of games.
Last season, the Yankees captured the division and surged to the World Series. Volpe played a big role, batting .286 with an .815 OPS in 14 playoff games. His grand slam in the Fall Classic became an instant highlight.
This season, that player has vanished. Instead, the Yankees are relying on a shortstop who struggles both at the plate and in the field.
The backup plan
Jose Caballero has emerged as the alternative. Acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, the 29-year-old utility man has made the most of his chances.
In 26 games with New York, Caballero has a .765 OPS and leads the majors with 43 steals in 52 tries. Even more valuable, he plays clean defense.
“We’re in day-to-day mode,” Boone said before Wednesday’s 11-1 loss to Detroit. “We’re playing for a lot right now, and I have a decision to make every day with the lineup.”
Volpe has already been benched multiple times, with Caballero earning more opportunities. The shift in playing time is hard to ignore.
What insiders are saying
Veteran columnist Bill Madden recently argued Volpe should be benched for good. He called the team’s continued support “stubborn.”
Boone has admitted he weighs Caballero’s role daily. “Maybe, I think about it every day,” he said when asked about giving Caballero more starts. “But I also love the flexibility Caballero gives you off the bench too.”
Still, Boone insists Volpe remains his starter. “Look, I view Anthony as our shortstop,” Boone said. “But Caballero is a really good player. I’m aware of that, and feel a lot of confidence anytime I put him in there.”
The bigger picture
General Manager Brian Cashman designed this roster to contend. At the deadline, he added Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon, and Caballero. On paper, it was a World Series-caliber group.
But none of that matters if the shortstop spot remains a weak link. Volpe’s errors have cost runs. His missed chances at the plate have cost rallies. Each night, the issue grows louder.
Boone’s acknowledgment of the shoulder injury introduces another dimension. If Volpe has been playing hurt, it explains some struggles. But it also raises questions about how the Yankees handled him after May.
Yankees’ decision time
Seventeen games remain. The Yankees still hold a path to the postseason, but the margin is thin.
Boone’s new honesty suggests change may be near. Volpe could rest more often. Caballero could start more. Or the Yankees might finally make the move they’ve avoided all year.
Whatever comes next, the decision could define their October fate. The shoulder injury that looked minor in May may now hold the key to the Yankees’ season.
What do you think?
Jazz Chisholm Jr;. was added LAST YEAR, not this year.