NEW YORK — On a night when the Yankees celebrated an emphatic 9-6 victory over their bitter rivals from Boston, the Bronx faithful held their breath for a different reason — Anthony Volpe’s health. After being drilled on the left elbow by an 88.8 mph pitch from Red Sox right-hander Walker Buehler, the Yankees’ everyday shortstop was forced to exit the game prematurely. Fortunately, postgame scans delivered a collective sigh of relief across the clubhouse and fanbase.
“It’s painful and stiff,” Volpe admitted. “Knowing that it’s structurally sound and you’ve just got to get the swelling out, I’m definitely optimistic.”
An X-ray at Yankee Stadium and a CT scan at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center confirmed no fracture. The 24-year-old Gold Glove shortstop is now considered day-to-day, with manager Aaron Boone confirming the initial diagnosis: a left elbow contusion.
“A little stiff and sore, but hopefully nothing that keeps him out very long,” Boone said following the win.
From pain to power: Volpe’s eventful night
Before the injury scare, Volpe had already made his mark on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first, he followed Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s three-run homer with a two-run blast of his own, capping off a five-run inning that left Buehler and the Red Sox stunned. It was Volpe’s eighth home run of the season, matching two-thirds of his 2024 total in just 61 games.
But the game took a dramatic turn in the second. With the bases loaded, Buehler hit Volpe on the left elbow with a changeup. The Yankees’ shortstop winced in pain, briefly retreating toward the Red Sox dugout before slowly taking his base. The hit-by-pitch drove in a run and gave the Yankees a 7-0 lead, but Volpe’s discomfort was visible.
“I used to get that in the Minor Leagues a lot,” Boone said. “That one right there on the elbow… it’s not fun.”
After playing the field in the top of the third, Volpe was replaced by Oswald Peraza in the fourth inning when swelling became too severe to ignore.
“Once all that stuff [brace and sleeve] came off and the adrenaline wore off, you realize it got pretty big,” Volpe said.
Volpe, Yankees’ new iron horse
Durability has become one of Volpe’s calling cards. The shortstop has now played in 61 of the Yankees’ 62 games this season, only sitting out once — on May 4 against Tampa Bay — following a dive that tweaked his shoulder.
“You want to be available for the team,” Volpe emphasized. “That’s the way to be the best teammate. Not just me, but everyone puts in a lot of work every single day to be able to go out there and compete for your team.”
That team-first attitude, coupled with his rapid development both offensively and defensively, has made Volpe arguably the Yankees’ most valuable player not named Aaron Judge. He owns a .241/.321/.445 slash line with 17 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, and 37 RBIs.
In comparison, backup shortstop Oswald Peraza has struggled to replicate Volpe’s production, posting a modest .576 OPS over limited opportunities. For a Yankees roster already juggling injuries, keeping him in the lineup is a top priority.
‘I expect to be in there’
Despite the clear discomfort, Volpe left little doubt about his intentions going forward.
“I expect to be in there tomorrow,” he said postgame, reinforcing the optimism shared by the club’s medical team.
The Yankees are being cautious, but Volpe’s availability will depend on swelling reduction and mobility over the next 24 hours. Boone acknowledged that while the team has no plans to rush him back, Volpe’s toughness and track record suggest a quick return is possible.
“I feel like I’ve seen Joey or X-ray tech way too much for anyone’s liking,” Volpe joked, referencing Yankees physical therapist Joe Bello.
Breakout year in progress
Now in his third season, Volpe is showing the kind of offensive growth the Yankees hoped for when they handed him the keys to the shortstop position in 2023. After posting a .661 OPS combined over his first two years, he’s taken a leap to .766 in 2025, adding more consistency to his gap power and maintaining his elite defense.
The 2023 Gold Glove winner has become the glue of the Yankees’ infield and an energizer in the lineup — especially crucial during a season when the team is chasing redemption after last October’s heartbreak.
Volpe’s teammates — and manager — continue to praise his all-in effort.
“He’s the kind of player you want to build around,” Boone said earlier this week. “Plays the game the right way, competes every pitch, and leads by example.”
Yankees walking the health tightrope
While the Yankees have weathered their fair share of injuries this season — with Marcus Stroman, Luis Gil, and Oswaldo Cabrera all hitting the injured list in recent weeks — Volpe’s potential absence would strike at a more vital nerve, especially given his defensive leadership and offensive surge.
Thankfully, it appears the scare will remain just that — a scare.
For now, the Yankees remain hopeful their shortstop will be back on the field imminently. And for Volpe, the mindset hasn’t changed.
“I’ll be doing everything I can to be out there,” he said.
In a season where every game counts and every at-bat carries postseason weight, Volpe’s presence could prove invaluable — even if he’s playing through a little pain.
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