When the Yankees released their lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Nationals, one name stood out: Anthony Volpe. The shortstop was slotted back in at eighth after sitting out the previous two games in favor of Jose Caballero. And surprisingly, this is despite the fact that Volpe’s been in a rough patch, going just 1-for-32, and leads the AL with 17 errors. Still, Aaron Boone defended him, praising his consistency and saying, “He’s very capable.” But that might not be the common view shared by everyone in the clubhouse.

After losing the series 1-3 against the Red Sox, the Yankees have bounced back with two straight wins over Washington, including a 5-1 victory in Game 2. But even in that win, defensive lapses were still on display. This time it wasn’t Volpe, but Cody Bellinger.

Notably, in the third inning, Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams caught Bellinger off guard, and his slow reaction led to Washington’s lone run. Boone didn’t let that slide, giving Bellinger a stern talk in the dugout.

Now, that begs the question fans keep asking: Does Boone hold all players to the same standard? Would Volpe or Austin Wells be treated the same way after a costly mistake?

Fortunately, Boone’s chat with Cody Bellinger seemed to have an immediate effect. Just two innings later, in the fifth, Abrams tried a similar hit to the outfield, but this time Bellinger was ready. He fired a missile to Wells, nailing Abrams at the plate and shutting down a potential Nationals rally. Yes, a quick redemption, and exactly the kind of response Boone would’ve wanted.

But the same can’t be said for Anthony Volpe. Back in the lineup after two days off, the young shortstop went hitless again. And unlike Bellinger, there was no sign of a tough-love moment from Boone in the dugout. Instead, the Yankees continue to preach patience. Hitting coach James Rowson even praised Volpe’s work ethic and talent, saying he’s not concerned about the slump: “I don’t get overly worried.”

Fans, though, can’t help noticing the contrast. And it left many wondering if there’s a bit of bias at play!

Boone gets called out over his Volpe strategy

“Happy to see this… do the same to every f—–g player. No one is immune from recourse,” one fan remarked. That’s a clear reference to how the fans are expecting to see equal treatment of Boone to all the players. “Why does he only do this to certain players??” another fan added.

By late July, Bellinger had just two errors compared to Volpe’s 15.

Take Friday’s game against the Red Sox as an example. At the top of the ninth, Volpe had a chance to make a routine play at short. Ceddanne Rafaela hit a grounder right to him, but instead of the easy throw to first, Volpe tried to get Duran at second. The result? Rafaela beat the throw to first.

So, it was a costly miscue, but unlike the visible dugout conversation with Bellinger today, Boone didn’t show the same reaction then. “Next time our elite SS throws a ball into the dugout, throws to the wrong bag, boots a grounder…maybe do the same thing. Belli knew he messed up and also made up for it later in the game. Oh, and he’s been 1 of our most consistent players,” one fan added.

Remember when Aaron Judge took an accidental shot to the face back in July from a throw by Anthony Volpe? The Yankees were jogging off the field and tossing the ball around at Citi Field. The ball ended up with Volpe, who lobbed a high throw toward Judge as he came in from the right. The ball clipped him in the face, leaving everyone stunned. Boone chalked it up to confusion, but the Bleacher creatures might not be so forgiving if something like that happens again without any accountability.

“Doing this to your 2nd-3rd best player is insane, but won’t do it to Volpe or Wells,” one fan wonders what it means to deal rudely with a top performer.

Notably, Bellinger is hitting .333 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs in the last 10 games, which is ahead of Aaron Judge. Currently, he is the second-best performer behind Giancarlo Stanton (.464). “Literally cannot make this s–t up, he’s the most consistent player on the team, meanwhile Volpe gets chance after chance with no repercussion except paid leave for 2 games,” another added. Volpe is currently hitting .206, and Boone got him activated on Tuesday after two games off.

Nevertheless, Boone’s strategy of dealing with Volpe separately might prove costly, considering MLB insider Mark Feinsand’s projection. “Bellinger is likely to parlay his strong season into a new long-term deal in free agency.” And so, after today’s dugout antics between Boone and Bellinger, the Yankees’ fans might be bracing for the worst.