Anthony Volpe’s career in peril as Yankees’ reckless oversight unravels

NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe received his second cortisone injection of the season on Wednesday, a clear sign that the New York Yankees’ 24-year-old shortstop has been battling a serious shoulder injury that the team has downplayed for months.

The shot came after Volpe aggravated a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays. Manager Aaron Boone admitted Thursday that Volpe has been playing through the issue since early May, raising fresh concerns about the way the Yankees handle injuries.

“Obviously he had the incident in May where he dove and hurt his shoulder a little bit,” Boone said before Thursday’s game against the Tigers. “At that time, we MRI’ed it and he had a partial labrum tear that I think they felt was an old injury.”

Aaron Boone shares that Anthony Volpe has been playing through a partial labrum tear:

"Nothing that we think is going to land him on the IL or nothing that he can't continue to play through" pic.twitter.com/RfSDrQwX5j

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 11, 2025

With just 16 games left in the regular season and the Yankees fighting for playoff positioning, the revelation highlighted an all-too-familiar pattern for the franchise.

Pattern of Yankees’ poor injury management raises alarm

The handling of Volpe’s shoulder mirrors the Yankees’ approach to Anthony Rizzo’s concussion in 2023. Rizzo suffered the head injury in May after colliding with Fernando Tatis Jr., but the team failed to diagnose the severity for months.

According to Pinstripe Alley, it took “an embarrassing amount of time for the concussion to be truly realized.” Rizzo slumped badly before the Yankees finally shut him down in August.

The parallels are hard to ignore. Both Volpe and Rizzo were injured in May on diving plays. Both continued to play while the Yankees minimized the extent of their injuries. Both saw sharp performance declines that could not be brushed off.

Rizzo’s mishandling ultimately factored into the Yankees’ decision not to exercise his $17 million option for 2025. For Volpe, there is now a fear that similar negligence could derail his career during its most critical stage.

Performance decline tells the story numbers cannot hide

Anthony Volpe’s production makes the impact of his injury impossible to overlook. Through May 4, he carried a .233 batting average, a .326 on-base percentage, and a .442 slugging percentage with a 114 wRC+. That profile showed him as an above-average offensive player.

Since the shoulder injury, his numbers have cratered. Over 108 games, he has hit just .197/.248/.378 with a 70 wRC+. That 44-point drop is one of the largest declines in the majors this season.

Defensively, the results are equally concerning. Volpe recorded 15 Defensive Runs Saved in 2023 and six in 2024. This season he has just one. His Outs Above Average rating has fallen from +14 last year to -9.

The errors tell their own story. Volpe committed eight throwing errors in 2023 and nine in 2024. He already has 13 this season despite playing fewer games. His 19 total errors lead the American League.

“I don’t think it’s been a major factor in his performance, or his ability to swing the bat, or his ability to go to the post every day,” Boone insisted. The statistics say otherwise.

Ice wraps and secrecy suggest deeper Volpe problems

Throughout the season, Volpe has been spotted wrapped in ice after games. Yet the Yankees repeatedly described the shoulder issue as manageable. Only now has it been revealed that he also received a cortisone injection during the All-Star break.

That information was not shared at the time. Joel Sherman’s report of Wednesday’s injection was the first full acknowledgment of the condition. The secrecy highlights a troubling trend under the current front office.

Other clubs prioritize player health, even at the cost of short-term results. With Volpe under team control through 2029, the Yankees’ reluctance to shut him down looks shortsighted.

Young star’s future hangs in the balance

At 24, Volpe should be preparing to enter his prime years. Instead, he is facing the possibility of surgery. Boone admitted Thursday it is “possible” that Volpe will need to address the labrum tear surgically after the season.

Shoulder injuries, especially labrum tears, can linger. Continuing to play through them risks long-term damage. Jose Caballero has started two of the past five games at shortstop, an indication that even the Yankees recognize Volpe’s limits. Still, they have resisted placing him on the injured list.

Championship window demands better decision making

The Yankees hold a Wild Card spot but trail the Blue Jays by three games in the division. Every game is critical, but history shows how costly it can be to push players beyond their physical limits.

The organization’s decision to play Volpe through pain echoes past mistakes. Rizzo’s concussion was brushed aside until it ended his season. Now Volpe’s shoulder is threatening his trajectory as the franchise’s shortstop of the future.

Volpe himself remains committed. “We have the squad to win a World Series, so I just want to be a part of that,” he said Thursday. His sacrifice is admirable, but the team has a duty to protect him.

The Yankees face a choice. They can continue forcing their shortstop into the lineup while he struggles, or they can prioritize his long-term health. Fans who watched Rizzo’s career in New York unravel know which path is more likely.

If the team repeats its mistakes, the cost could be Anthony Volpe’s prime and the Yankees’ stability at one of baseball’s most important positions.

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