New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has had an underwhelming start to his MLB career to say the least. Now, his latest shoulder injury could seal his fate with the Yankees for good.
Volpe will miss the start of the 2026 season thanks to undergoing shoulder surgery during this offseason. Volpe played through the injury throughout the 2025 season, and it drastically affected his play. He hit.212 with 19 home runs, and 72 RBIs in 2025 with an American League-leading 19 errors.
At the trade deadline last season, the Yankees acquired Jose Caballero, whose versatility and strong production at shortstop resulted in Volpe losing some daily reps.
Volpe’s struggles seem to be getting worse as his career has gone on, as he has yet to truly break out into the star shortstop the Yankees thought he could be when he first entered the league in 2023. Now with his injury halting the start of his 2026 season, he could lose his job for good if his replacement plays well.
“Brian Cashman seemed to hint that there’s a possibility he wouldn’t simply get his starting job back when he returns from shoulder surgery that will keep him out the first month-plus of the season,” The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty said. “José Caballero, or whoever the Yankees wind up with starting at shortstop to begin the season, could keep the job.”
It remains to be seen what the Yankees will do at shortstop for next season, but it is rather telling that they are considering other options aside from their once-prized prospect.
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