Yankees Bench Volpe as Slump Deepens Ahead of Red Sox Finale
BREAKING: The New York Yankees have benched shortstop Anthony Volpe for the crucial finale against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night. This comes as Volpe struggles through a severe slump, hitting just 1-for-28 in his last outings and leading the majors with 17 errors.
With the team trying to avoid a four-game sweep against their rivals, the Yankees opted to start recently acquired utility player Jose Caballero at shortstop. Volpe’s batting average has plummeted to .208 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in 128 games this season, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed the decision, stating, “Just scuffling a little bit offensively here over the last 10 days, (and) having Caballero. Cabby gives you that real utility presence that can go play anywhere.” This marks only the fifth time this season Volpe is not in the starting lineup.
Volpe’s recent performance has been alarming. He went hitless in his first three games against the Red Sox and is coming off a dismal 0-for-9 performance in his last two games against St. Louis. The Yankees suffered a 12-1 defeat on Saturday, where Volpe committed a critical throwing error that contributed to a disastrous ninth inning.
After a promising start to the season, batting .249 through his first 69 games, Volpe has seen his average drop to .153 since June 14. This drastic decline has led to calls from frustrated Yankees fans for the team to reconsider his position in the lineup.
“I think he handles it quite well,” Boone said about Volpe’s struggles. “He’s a young player that works his tail off and is super competitive, trying to find that next level in his game offensively.”
Volpe, just 24 years old, won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023 and was a significant contributor during last season’s postseason run, where he batted .286 and hit a grand slam in the World Series. However, his recent form has raised questions about his ability to perform under pressure in New York.
Caballero, who was acquired from Tampa Bay at the July 31 trade deadline, has been a bright spot for the Yankees, hitting .320 in his initial 14 games with the team. He brings versatility, having played shortstop, second base, third base, and right field this season.
The Yankees entered Sunday night six games behind first-place Toronto in the AL East and 1.5 games behind the Red Sox. The outcome of this pivotal matchup could significantly impact their race for the three available AL wild cards.
As the game unfolds, all eyes will be on Volpe’s future with the team and whether the Yankees can turn their season around with a strong performance in Boston.
