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The New York Yankees revealed this week what many fans suspected: Anthony Volpe has been battling more than just a slump. As first reported by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, the 24-year-old shortstop has a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that dates back to a May 3 dive in the field when he felt a “pop.” He has since received multiple cortisone injections, including one during the All-Star break and another this week. On Friday, Hoch reported that manager Aaron Boone admitted the latest MRI showed “a little bit more of a labrum tear,” though the Yankees do not expect him to land on the injured list.
That news reframes Volpe’s season. Before the injury, he posted a .233/.326/.442 line with 10 doubles and five homers in 33 games. Since then, he has hit just .197/.248/.378 over 108 games while leading the American League with 19 errors. The Yankees insist they still view him as their starting shortstop, but Boone has started working José Caballero into the mix more often. Surgery, Boone said, is “not necessarily” expected after the season, though Volpe will undergo further imaging.
After missing the last two games of the Tigers series at home, Volpe is also out of the lineup for Friday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
What Exactly Is a Labrum Tear?
To understand why this matters, it helps to break down what a labrum is and what happens when it tears. Johns Hopkins Medicine defines the labrum as a thick rim of cartilage that lines the shoulder socket, helping keep the ball of the upper arm bone in place. They liken the shoulder joint to a beach ball resting on a dinner plate: the ball is much larger than the shallow socket, and the labrum deepens that socket so the ball doesn’t slip out.
A tear can occur in a few different ways: the labrum can peel off the bone, fray along its edge, or tear where the biceps tendon attaches, a condition often referred to as a SLAP tear. According to Johns Hopkins, these tears are challenging to diagnose due to their variety, frequently requiring MRI scans or even arthroscopy to confirm. Treatments range from rest and injections to surgery, depending on the severity and location of the tear.
In simpler terms, the labrum acts like the bumper on a dinner plate, preventing the ball from rolling off. If the bumper is ripped or loose, the ball wobbles, slips, or gets hurt when you move it with force. For an everyday shortstop, that means throwing across the diamond or swinging against high velocity becomes more difficult, even if he can push through the pain.
Why It’s Significant for the Yankees
Volpe told reporters he feels “in a good spot” and praised the communication between himself, Boone, and the training staff. Still, the results show the challenge of managing the injury. His power, timing, and defensive rhythm have dipped since early May, and fans at Yankee Stadium have noticed, often greeting his miscues with boos.
Boone maintains that the injury is not the primary factor in Volpe’s offensive struggles, but the shoulder has been a constant storyline. Whether the Yankees decide to lean more heavily on Caballero down the stretch or ride with Volpe at less than 100 percent, the shortstop’s shoulder looms as one of the defining variables of the postseason push.
For fans, the takeaway is clear: this isn’t a minor ding. As Bryan Hoch’s reporting made public and as Johns Hopkins’ medical definition explains, a labrum tear is a structural injury with real consequences. If Volpe can play through it and regain some of his April form, the Yankees’ infield stability improves dramatically. If not, the injury could become one of the season’s most decisive turning points.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia
