The Yankees got some good news on Anthony Volpe’s shoulder.
MRI and X-ray tests came back negative after the shortstop suffered a scary injury diving for a ball during Saturday’s game against the Rays. While he’s not completely in the clear yet, the initial diagnosis is promising.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided an update after keeping Volpe out of Sunday’s lineup.
“X-rays, MRI — good news,” Boone said. “He’s sore today, but I feel like we’re probably in a good spot. We’ll see. Kind of day-to-day right now.”
That’s a massive relief for the Yankees, especially considering what happened to Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story in April. Story fractured his shoulder on an almost identical diving play, ending his 2024 season.
Even Volpe admitted after Saturday’s game that the feeling in his shoulder was something he’d never experienced before. That pop while fully extending on the dive had Yankees fans holding their breath.
“It’s a little unclear in there. He’s got some stuff that they feel like is older stuff, so hard to know exactly,” Boone added. “He’s definitely a little cranky in the shoulder today.”
The 24-year-old Gold Glove winner won’t truly know how he feels until he tests the shoulder in game preparation. His return timeline remains uncertain.
Volpe has been rock-solid defensively again this season. At the plate, he’s been up and down but showing promising power with a .233/.326/.442 slash line and five homers. His 92 mph average exit velocity ranks in the 84th percentile league-wide, suggesting there’s more production coming if he can make consistent contact.
The Yankees’ middle infield depth is already being tested with Jazz Chisholm on the injured list. They’ll continue to rely on Pablo Reyes, Jorbit Vivas and Oswald Peraza to fill the void until Volpe returns.
