Volpe’s surgery exposes Yankees’ hidden wave of 2026 injury troubles
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Follow UsNEW YORK — The New York Yankees have been hit with another wave of health concerns, starting with shortstop Anthony Volpe’s undisclosed shoulder surgery. What was initially treated as a minor issue has revealed itself as part of a larger problem — one that extends across several of the team’s biggest stars.
The Yankees kept Volpe’s shoulder procedure quiet until after their playoff elimination against the Toronto Blue Jays, but his recovery timeline and the growing list of injured players suggest a troubling trend. With multiple key contributors facing uncertain offseasons, the Yankees are staring down a critical health crisis heading into 2026.
Yankees shortstop surgery raises questions
Volpe underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, ending months of speculation about his condition. The 24-year-old played through discomfort for most of the 2025 season, determined to remain in the lineup despite the growing pain.
The Yankees never publicly disclosed the severity of his injury during the regular season or playoffs. Volpe continued to start at shortstop, even as his performance declined sharply. His determination came at a cost, as playing through the tear may have worsened the damage.
Recovery from a labrum procedure typically takes six to nine months, depending on the severity and response to rehabilitation. That timeline could threaten Volpe’s availability for spring training and possibly the early months of the 2026 campaign.
The Yankees now face difficult roster questions. With their shortstop of the future recovering from surgery, the team must determine whether to find a temporary replacement or risk rushing him back too soon.
Judge’s flexor strain creates uncertainty
Volpe’s surgery isn’t the only major concern in the Bronx. Captain Aaron Judge continues to battle an injury that has lingered since July.
Judge strained the flexor tendon in his right elbow during a July 22 game against the Blue Jays. He grimaced after a throw from right field and was later diagnosed with a flexor strain. The Yankees placed him on the injured list after he attempted to play through the pain for two additional games.
“We’ll definitely do some work on it,” Judge said following the Yankees’ postseason loss to Toronto. “We’ll do some work on it and get it right.”
When asked about the possibility of offseason surgery, Judge sidestepped the question. “I’m not a doctor,” he said. “I don’t know.”
Judge returned to the lineup on August 5, initially as a designated hitter, and didn’t return to the outfield until early September. Despite limited throwing ability, he finished the regular season strong, earning AL Player of the Month honors for September after hitting .370 with 10 home runs.
Still, the lingering nature of the elbow issue raises questions about whether Judge’s power and arm strength will remain consistent next year — and whether the Yankees will consider a medical procedure to prevent further complications.
Stanton battles chronic elbow problems
While Judge’s condition demands monitoring, Giancarlo Stanton’s recurring elbow pain could prove even more concerning. The slugger has dealt with worsening tendinitis in both elbows since the 2024 season, describing the condition as a severe form of tennis elbow.
Stanton aggravated the problem during offseason training in January 2025, forcing him to delay his return until June 16. He didn’t hit his first home run until July 2 but then erupted for a torrid stretch, smashing 24 homers in 65 games with a 1.011 OPS.
“Rest will do them good,” Stanton said about his elbows after the season ended.
Despite his late surge, the power hitter’s struggles returned in October. Stanton batted just .192 with no home runs in seven postseason games. His inability to drive the ball consistently raised concerns that his elbow issues may be chronic.
If rest and rehabilitation fail to resolve the discomfort, surgery could become a consideration — a scenario that would complicate the Yankees’ offseason even further.
Pitching staff faces long recovery roads
The Yankees’ rotation is also far from full strength. Both Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery in 2025, leaving massive holes in the pitching staff.
Cole’s operation, performed in March, included an internal brace. The ace resumed throwing five months later, and if recovery stays on schedule, he could return by late May 2026.
Schmidt’s outlook is more uncertain. His July surgery places his estimated return around September 2026, making it possible he’ll miss the entire season.
Without Cole for the first two months and Schmidt for most — if not all — of the year, the Yankees will need to explore rotation depth through free agency or trades. Their pitching strategy could determine whether they remain competitive in the American League.
Cole’s leadership and dominance have long anchored the rotation. Losing him for any stretch, particularly at the start of the season, could derail the team’s plans to rebound from their 2025 disappointment.
Cabrera provides rare positive news
In an otherwise bleak medical update, utility man Oswaldo Cabrera offers a rare dose of optimism. Just four months after suffering a gruesome left ankle fracture in Seattle, Cabrera returned to participate in pregame workouts during the postseason.
By October, he was fielding groundballs with the Yankees’ regular infielders, showing no visible limitations. His full recovery appears on track for spring training, where his versatility will be invaluable as the team navigates injuries to its starters.
Cabrera’s ability to play multiple infield and outfield positions could help the Yankees cover short-term gaps caused by Volpe’s absence and other roster uncertainties.
Medical decisions loom large
The Yankees now face a crucial offseason dominated by health evaluations and roster management. Volpe’s surgery, Judge’s lingering elbow concerns, Stanton’s chronic condition, and the pitching staff’s rehabilitation timelines all converge to form a complex medical puzzle.
Each case requires a tailored approach. Volpe’s youth and long-term importance mean the Yankees can’t afford to rush him back. Judge’s leadership and value to the franchise demand caution and precision in any treatment plan. Stanton’s recurring issues pose a deeper challenge, especially given his age and the years remaining on his contract.
Cole’s and Schmidt’s recoveries add another layer of uncertainty, forcing the Yankees’ front office to consider backup options for their rotation early in the offseason.
Team officials must balance the immediate need to compete with the long-term health of their core players. Missteps could have lasting consequences — both on the field and financially.
The Yankees, already under pressure to end their 16-year championship drought, enter a winter of medical reevaluation and cautious rebuilding. Volpe’s hush-hush shoulder surgery may have been the first sign, but it’s clear now that the team’s injury iceberg runs much deeper.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
The only thing that is clear is that whatever constitutes how the Yankees medical Group is really fun, needs to be totally redone, removing any bean counter or other executive ignoring the medical advice. No more no rehab assignments, do not lie about injuries, and if you want to ignore medical advice, you must sign a document saying that is exactly what you are doing.