Yankees’ Anthony Volpe Receives Cortisone Shot for Shoulder Injury

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe received a cortisone shot in his left shoulder on Wednesday, following a period of play during which he managed a small tear in his labrum. The injury has been a concern since May, when Volpe first reported discomfort after a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 3, 2023.

Before concluding a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers, Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed the cortisone injection, which came after Volpe aggravated the injury during a diving stop in a recent matchup against Toronto. This marks the second cortisone shot Volpe has received this season, having previously undergone the procedure during the All-Star break.

Caballero Steps In

With Volpe sidelined, José Caballero stepped in as the starting shortstop, marking his sixth start since joining the Yankees from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline. Boone indicated that Volpe would not be available off the bench and may miss the upcoming series opener against Boston on Friday.

The initial injury occurred when Volpe felt a pop in his shoulder while attempting a backhand play during the eighth inning of a game against the Rays. This play led to a pivotal rally for Tampa Bay, resulting in a 3-2 loss for the Yankees.

Boone provided insight into Volpe’s condition, stating, “He’s aggravated it, maybe a couple of times, Sunday being one of them, and each time it’s kind of added to — I think it’s just a swelling issue.” Following an MRI, Boone reported that Volpe’s injury showed a slight increase in the labrum tear, but he assured that it would not require placement on the injured list and that Volpe could continue to play.

Performance Impact

Volpe’s performance has been a topic of discussion, especially considering his current statistics. As of now, he is hitting .206 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs over 141 games. His recent form has raised concerns, as he has managed only 8 hits in 44 at-bats over the last 12 games. Prior to a brief benching on August 24-25, Volpe struggled significantly, recording just one hit in his previous 28 at-bats.

At the time of his initial injury, he was hitting .233 with five home runs and 19 RBIs. Since then, his average has dropped to .197, making him the lowest-performing shortstop among qualified players. Despite this, Boone noted, “I don’t think it’s been a major factor in his performance or his ability to swing the bat or in his ability to kind of go to the post every day.”

Volpe’s last appearance on the field was during a challenging 12-2 loss against Toronto, where he went 0 for 3, struck out twice, and failed to capitalize on a bunting opportunity with runners on base.

A Promising Rookie Season

As a rookie in 2023, Volpe made a significant impact, earning a Gold Glove award and finishing the season with a batting average of .209, along with 21 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases after securing the shortstop position during spring training. His performance in the postseason was noteworthy, batting .286 and hitting a grand slam in Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As Volpe continues to navigate his injury and the remainder of the season, both he and the Yankees will be looking for a swift recovery to maintain competitive momentum as they head into crucial matchups.