It is no longer news that Anthony Volpe’s season has been tough enough with a .206 batting average, 19 errors, and just two hits in his last 17 at-bats. However, it now appears that things have taken an even more concerning turn. Yes, despite getting struck 10 times in his last five games without drawing a walk, Aaron Boone has stuck by him, even saying, “I view Anthony as our shortstop.” That vote of confidence, though, might be running out of steam!

Reportedly, on Thursday, Boone revealed that Volpe has been playing through a partial labrum tear in his shoulder all season. And to manage the pain, Volpe received a cortisone shot on Wednesday so he could stay on the field. But with his struggles piling up and the injury lingering, it’s fair to ask: What’s the future that lies ahead of Volpe in pinstripes? Reportedly, Boone shared a short-term timeline for the struggling shortstop.

“Aaron Boone said he does not expect Anthony Volpe to start any games in the series against the Red Sox. But could be available off the bench as he recovers from a cortisone shot in his shoulder.” Talkin’ Yanks quoted MLB insider Chris Kirschner.

So, Volpe is going to miss the Boston series, and if you know the history of Boone rallying behind Volpe since Opening Day, you know why it’s unusual. “[I’m] still hoping that Anthony’s best is in front of him,” Boone said just days ago, showing confidence. And why not, because after the All-Star game, Volpe was hitting .280 with 7 HRs in the next 14 games. That’s surely a good deal for a shortstop, but things went for a toss just after that.

Notably, Volpe went just 2 HRs in the next 32 games with a .145 BA! That may be due to his injury, but whatever it may be, Boone surely got nothing else to vouch for the shortstop to continue.

The Yankees are currently in a do-or-die situation with only 16 games left to end the regular season. Just when the teams are trying to fix their lineup for the postseason, the Yankees’ struggle with their shortstop is far from over. But the gap of having a second in command behind Volpe after parting ways with Oswald Peraza might be coming to an end for the Yankees.

The Yankees got an Anthony Volpe replacement

Since Opening Day, Volpe had an immunity due to the lack of a reliable shortstop on the team. But things are about to change. Yes, owing to his struggle and injury, the Yankees are now putting their bets on their trade deadline inductee, Jose Caballero.

“We’ll see,” Boone said. “[Caballero] is playing really well and does a lot of really good things, but there’s a lot of value on the days he’s on the bench, too. We’re at that time of the year where I’m going to do what I think is best for us each and every day.” However, is Caballero ready to take things forward from Volpe? Check his recent figures, and those are enough to convince.

Let’s be very honest here, Caballero is no Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals, but still a few legs ahead of Volpe. For the unversed, Caballero’s 12.5% walk rate is quite better than Volpe’s 7.4%. On the other hand, Caballero is currently standing with 3 OAA, compared to Volpe’s -8! Hence, the former Rays’ slugger is ahead in terms of defense as well.

Hence, although Boone confirmed that Volpe will miss the Boston series, things are surely getting difficult for him. With Caballero in the block and the Yankees’ top prospect George Lombard Jr. readying up in the minors, competition is surely getting high here. So now, all eyes will be on how Caballero performs in the Boston series.

The first-in-order shorstop for the Yankees in the postseason might get finalized post this series.