Yankees fans held their breath during the eighth inning of Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays when shortstop Anthony Volpe went down after diving for a ground ball. The young infielder was seen grimacing and clutching his left shoulder, immediately sparking concerns about a potential serious injury, especially with the recent news of second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. being sidelined with an oblique strain.
The Play and Volpe’s Initial Reaction:
In the top of the eighth inning, with the Yankees leading 2-1, Rays batter Christopher Morel hit a ground ball into the hole between short and third. Volpe made a headlong dive in an attempt to make the play, and his left shoulder appeared to absorb a significant impact upon landing. He remained on the ground for a concerning period, clutching his shoulder while the Yankees training staff, manager Aaron Boone, and teammates like Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger rushed to his side.
“Just felt like a pop in my shoulder,” Volpe explained after the game. “It happened quick and it was scary, but after that, I felt ok and had my strength.” He admitted that he had never experienced such a sensation before, making the moment particularly alarming for him.
Volpe Stays in the Game, But Concerns Linger:
Surprisingly, after undergoing tests on the field, the Yankees cleared Volpe to remain in the game. Boone noted that once Volpe got up and moved around, he seemed to feel better. However, the inning took a turn for the worse as the Rays rallied to score two runs, with a crucial error by Volpe contributing to the go-ahead run.
Post-Game Updates and Next Steps:
Following the 3-2 loss to the Rays, Volpe underwent an X-ray at Yankee Stadium. The initial report indicated no structural damage. This was undoubtedly a sigh of relief for the Yankees and their fanbase.
Despite the negative X-ray, both Volpe and the team are proceeding with caution. Volpe mentioned that he felt “good” while swinging a bat in the batting cages after the game, but the unusual “pop” sensation remains a concern.
It is widely anticipated that Volpe will undergo further testing, likely an MRI on Sunday, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue and rule out any potential ligament or soft tissue damage. The team will undoubtedly be cautious, especially given the existing injury to Chisholm Jr., as they can ill afford to lose both starting middle infielders.
Fantasy Baseball Impact:
For fantasy baseball managers, the situation surrounding Anthony Volpe remains fluid. While the negative X-ray is encouraging, the fact that he felt a “pop” and will likely undergo further evaluation makes him a player to monitor closely. He should be considered day-to-day for now. If Volpe were to miss any time, players like Oswaldo Cabrera or Pablo Reyes could potentially fill in at shortstop.
Yankees fans and fantasy managers alike will be eagerly awaiting the results of any further testing on Volpe’s shoulder, hoping that the initial scare doesn’t lead to another significant injury for the team.