What started as a minor shoulder injury during a dive against the Rays on May 3, 2025, became a full-blown setback for Anthony Volpe. By the time a medical surgery became vital, it was clear the Yankees’ cautious approach had just worsened matters.

Now, reports from YES Network highlighted that Aaron Boone thinks that Anthony Volpe’s recovery can stretch to the spring. The manager detailed that the star will begin to hit after 4 months; however, he will not be cleared to dive until 6 months after his surgery. Such a timeline would delay Volpe’s return until after Opening Day, robbing the team of its starting shortstop when the next season begins.

The news came from the manager’s end-of-season press conference. The manager confirmed what multiple fans feared. “Probably a little behind,” Boone shared when asked about Volpe’s spring readiness.

The Yankees manager also mentioned, “The schedule would be for him to start hitting in four months… but he can’t dive on it or anything until six months. My expectation is that he’ll be delayed to start the season or starting a rehab assignment when we’re starting the season.”

Jomboy absurdly summarizes it in a viral post.

“Boone expects Volpe to start the 2026 season in the minor leagues… on a rehab assignment. Sorry, I couldn’t resist the clickbait turning of words, but also couldn’t follow through with it.”

But Volpe’s path back to the majors will likely start away from the Bronx, all thanks to the Yankees’ controversial handling of his injury timeline.

While Volpe‘s recovery paints an uncertain picture for the team’s in-field stability, Aaron Judge faces another battle.

Beyond Volpe: Aaron Judge escapes surgery scare as Yankees breathe a sigh of relief

Despite going through a painful right elbow flexor strain in 2025, Aaron Judge’s elite performance at the plate never fades. The stars’ .331/.457/.688 statline, with less time in the outfield, highlighted the discipline that defines his power. Meanwhile, the manager updated about his “continued improvement.”

“[Judge] is not [having surgery]. He actually had an MRI after the season, it showed continued improvement in the flexor muscles. He finished the season doing pretty well, so no surgery is going to be needed for Aaron,” Boone confirmed to reporters through SNY. 

Even without surgery, the team will handle Judge’s recovery with precision.

“He’ll take some time off and continue to do strengthening things and rehab and stuff. Felt like he finished the season in a pretty good place, as we saw continued improvements with him,” the skipper added.

So, Judge’s health management this offseason stands in stark contrast to the mishandling of Anthony Volpe’s injury, which is a reminder that the team cannot afford another developmental misstep if the Yankees hope to keep their core intact for a powerful 2026 campaign.