Anthony Volpe’s career with the New York Yankees has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with cold streaks often overshadowing the flashes of brilliance. But over the past 10 days, the young shortstop has flipped the script, looking every bit like the dynamic player the Yankees envisioned when they handed him the starting role. The catalyst? A cortisone injection in his left shoulder to address a partially torn labrum that had plagued him since May. Since returning, Volpe has rediscovered his groove, silencing doubters and reasserting himself as the team’s shortstop of the present and future.
Just weeks ago, Volpe’s struggles at the plate and in the field had sparked questions about his hold on the starting job. José Caballero, a versatile and speedy utility player, loomed as a potential replacement, especially after Volpe was sidelined or limited for four games following the injection and benched for two more in favor of Caballero. The noise around Volpe’s role grew louder as fans and analysts wondered if the 24-year-old could turn things around.
But since his return, Volpe has been a revelation. In nine games through Friday, he’s batted an impressive .313 (10-for-32) with a .759 OPS, while his defense has been crisp and confident. In Friday’s 8-4 victory over the Orioles, Volpe went 1-for-4, narrowly missing extra bases on a fly ball to the gap and flying out to the warning track in center. More than the numbers, it’s the way Volpe carries himself that stands out. “It feels like you can go out and play and do what you’re trying to do,” Volpe said, reflecting on the relief the cortisone shot provided. “We’re here for hours before the game, and you can test and see where you’re at every day. It just feels good to feel like you’re progressing.”
The turnaround couldn’t have come at a better time. With the postseason looming, the Yankees need Volpe at his best to solidify their lineup and infield. Manager Aaron Boone has noticed the shift, praising Volpe’s aggressive and attacking style on defense. “I really think defensively, he’s settled in the last month or so,” Boone said. “He’s playing aggressively, attacking the ball. I feel like he’s in a good place out there, looking like Anthony.” Offensively, Boone sees a player delivering “really competitive at-bats” night after night, even when the hits don’t fall. Volpe’s presence at the bottom of the lineup has added a spark, making him a key piece of the Yankees’ postseason puzzle.
The Yankees have long believed that their best lineup features Volpe at shortstop, with Caballero serving as a dynamic bench option—a pinch-running weapon with defensive flexibility. Volpe’s recent surge suggests that vision is coming into focus. “We got to keep going out there and doing it,” Boone said. “I have a lot of confidence in him right now. I feel like he’s playing well. He’s a big part of our success moving forward.”
Volpe’s struggles earlier this season weren’t new. His career has been defined by streaks, with the lows often lingering longer than the highs. Yet, the Yankees never wavered in their belief, pointing to his standout playoff performance last season, where he delivered some of the team’s most clutch at-bats. The cortisone shot and the mid-September reset—both physical and mental—seem to have unlocked that version of Volpe again. “There’s so much that’s so different [this year],” Volpe said. “You’re so in the moment and so present. But at the same time, you feel like you’re trending in the right direction. It feels good at the right time.”
As the Yankees gear up for October, Volpe’s resurgence is a reason for optimism. If he can sustain this level of play, the shortstop who once faced questions about his role could be the key to unlocking the Yankees’ postseason potential. For now, the cortisone shot appears to have been the flip of the switch Volpe needed—a spark that could ignite a breakout just when it matters most.