Anthony Volpe Returns to the Yankees’ Starting Lineup
Shortstop Anthony Volpe, after a period of underperformance, has been reinstated to the starting lineup of the New York Yankees. Volpe, who has experienced an unfavorable streak of 1-28 and has a batting average of .208 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in the current season, was placed in the eighth position in the lineup for the nineteenth time this year. The player had been out of the game for two matches. On Monday, José Caballero took his place, and on Sunday, Volpe came in as a defensive substitution in the eighth inning. On Monday, Volpe enjoyed his second full day of rest of the season, the first since May 4th. The Yankees hope Volpe benefits from this short break, especially after the harsh criticism from fans during his slump, which has lowered his average to one of the lowest among qualified players.Volpe last played since Saturday’s loss to the Red Sox, where he failed to connect any hit in three at-bats, attempted a sacrifice bunt and committed his 17th error of the season. Selected in the first round, Volpe won the shortstop position in spring training 2023. In his rookie season, he batted .209 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs in 159 games, earning the Gold Glove. Last season, Volpe improved his average to .243, with 12 home runs and 60 RBIs in 160 games. In addition, he batted .286 in the postseason, when the Yankees reached the World Series for the first time since 2009. His batting average was .249 in his first 69 games, but it has dropped to .160 since June 15. In that span, the Yankees have a 29-33 record and have fallen from first place in the American League East Division to the second wild card spot.“He’s prepared for it, he handles it,” manager Aaron Boone commented on Tuesday. “Whether he’s going through a good time or difficulties, he’s always the same guy and a very important part of our team. So we expect him to start to turn things around a bit here offensively and get back on track for us. It’s been a tough stretch offensively for him.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
“I feel like he’s had some bad luck this season, but he starts with the strike zone and making sure you’re swinging at quality pitches and when you do that, you give yourself a chance to succeed.”“He’s very capable,” Boone said. “I think the biggest thing for him in the early parts of his career is the ups and downs, the peaks and valleys offensively. So just continue to work really hard to be more consistent.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
