Yankees’ decision under scrutiny amid Anthony Volpe shoulder surgery concerns

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NEW YORK — The Yankees’ latest postseason exit has reopened questions about manager Aaron Boone’s handling of shortstop Anthony Volpe, whose shoulder injury may require offseason surgery. The 24-year-old played through pain for much of the season, but his struggles in the playoffs — paired with mounting medical uncertainty — have fans and analysts questioning whether the Yankees’ loyalty to him cost them a deeper run.

Volpe spoke with reporters following the team’s 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night. His remarks hinted at the possibility of surgery once the offseason begins.

“I don’t know. I anticipated playing another month and then reassessing then. We’re gonna figure it out,” Volpe told The Athletic after the elimination.

Volpe’s shoulder injury timeline raises questions

Volpe has battled a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder since May, an injury that required two cortisone injections — one in July and another in September. After the second shot, Boone acknowledged the issue publicly and gave Volpe several days off while Jose Caballero filled in at shortstop.

During that stretch, the Yankees appeared to function better defensively. Caballero’s energy and range helped stabilize the infield, yet when the postseason arrived, Boone stuck with Volpe as the full-time shortstop. Jose Caballero logged only four at-bats in seven playoff games, mostly appearing as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Volpe remained careful when asked how much the injury affected his performance.

“I have a really good relationship with the training staff and they trusted them, I trusted them,” the Yankees shortstop said. “And we grinded, the whole way, until today. I could have done a lot better.”

The shortstop would not confirm whether surgery is certain, leaving the Yankees with more questions heading into the offseason.

Record-breaking struggles at the plate

Volpe’s postseason performance was among the worst in franchise history. He went 1-for-15 with 11 strikeouts during the ALDS against Toronto. Over the final three games of the series, he went 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts.

According to analyst Katie Sharp, Volpe became the first Yankees player ever to record nine strikeouts with no hits across a three-game postseason stretch. His 16 total strikeouts in the playoffs led all players, five more than any other hitter.

In total, Volpe batted .192 with a .538 OPS across 26 postseason at-bats. His season ended with 13 consecutive outs.

“It’s brutal,” Volpe said after the elimination. “Kind of in shock. That’s all I got.”

Critical seventh-inning decision haunts Yankees

The defining moment came in the seventh inning of Game 4. The Yankees trailed by three runs with eight outs left in their season. Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt drew a leadoff walk, bringing the potential tying run to the plate.

Volpe stepped in to face left-hander Brendon Little. He was 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts in the series up to that point. On the bench sat Caballero, who had just two pinch-hit appearances all series. Boone chose to stick with Volpe.

The result was predictable. Volpe took a high fastball for ball one, watched two strikes, and then swung through a low knuckle curve for his third strikeout of the night. The Yankee Stadium crowd responded with loud boos, and television cameras caught one frustrated fan yelling for Volpe to “swing the bat.”

Moments later, pinch hitter Amed Rosario singled. The Yankees still had several bench options, including Caballero, Ben Rice, Rosario, and Jasson Domínguez, but Boone waited until the ninth inning to make a move.

When Domínguez finally entered as a pinch hitter, he promptly doubled. The sequence raised painful questions for fans who wondered whether Boone’s loyalty to Volpe came at too high a cost.

Regular season struggles continued downward trend

Volpe’s postseason collapse followed a difficult regular season. He slashed .212/.272/.391 with a .663 OPS in 2025, representing a 31-point drop in batting average from the prior year. Despite flashes of promise, he has yet to post an on-base percentage above .300 in any full season.

Defensively, Volpe’s shoulder issues led to noticeable decline. His throws lacked their usual accuracy and strength, especially in the season’s second half. The combination of offensive inconsistency and defensive regression left fans questioning his role going forward.

Volpe is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility and is projected to earn about $3.9 million. That figure, combined with his uncertain health, has fueled internal debates about whether he remains the long-term answer at shortstop.

The struggles were amplified by his stark contrast to last October. During the Yankees’ 2024 postseason run, Volpe hit .286 with an .815 OPS, earning praise for timely hitting. This year’s numbers, however, painted a very different picture.

Yankees face difficult offseason decisions

The Yankees now find themselves at a crossroads regarding Volpe’s future. With Aaron Judge entering his age-34 season, the window for a championship remains narrow. Every position must deliver consistent production, particularly at key defensive spots like shortstop.

Volpe’s pattern of inconsistency — brief bursts of success followed by extended slumps — has become a concern. His shoulder injury only complicates matters. The front office must decide whether rest, surgery, or a roster adjustment is the best solution.

Questions linger about Boone’s decision-making as well. Many fans and analysts have argued that Volpe should have rested more down the stretch or shared time with Caballero to allow his shoulder to heal. Others believe Boone’s faith in his young shortstop, while admirable, came at the team’s expense.

Boone defended Volpe throughout the season, citing his toughness and leadership. But with another October disappointment now behind them, the organization will have to evaluate whether loyalty overshadowed practicality.

Health and roster strategy under the microscope

The Yankees’ medical staff has faced similar scrutiny before — most notably regarding Judge’s 2023 toe injury and Luis Gil’s elbow issues. The team’s approach to managing injuries has repeatedly raised questions about communication and transparency.

If Volpe does require surgery, the timeline could affect spring training and possibly Opening Day. Shoulder procedures of this nature typically require four to six months of recovery, though outcomes vary.

Meanwhile, the front office must determine how to handle shortstop depth. Caballero has proven to be a reliable defender, while Oswald Peraza remains an option in Triple-A. The decision could shape the Yankees’ infield for years to come.

Uncertain future for a once-promising prospect

The Yankees envisioned Volpe as their franchise shortstop when he debuted in 2023. He showed flashes of that potential with power and speed, but inconsistency has prevented him from cementing his place among the league’s elite.

Volpe’s future now depends on how his shoulder responds and whether the organization continues to view him as part of its long-term core. His resilience and work ethic are unquestioned, but the numbers — and the health questions — tell a tougher story.

For the Yankees, the decision to play Volpe through injury will remain one of the defining debates of the 2025 season. Boone’s loyalty was clear, but so were the consequences. Whether surgery or recovery comes next, the shortstop’s health and future will headline a pivotal offseason in the Bronx.

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