Yankees’ Anthony Volpe Receives Cortisone Shot as Shoulder Issue Persists
Shortstop’s production has declined since feeling a ‘pop’ diving on May 3; team initially reported no structural damage
Anthony Volpe, the New York Yankees’ starting shortstop, received a cortisone injection in his left shoulder on Wednesday as the team addresses ongoing discomfort months after he felt a "pop" diving for a ball on May 3, the New York Post reported.
Volpe experienced the sensation while making a play against the Tampa Bay Rays. At the time, the Yankees said initial examinations showed no structural damage, but the player has experienced intermittent pain in the area since then. The injection is intended to reduce inflammation and help manage symptoms.
Through May 3, Volpe had compiled a slash line of .233/.326/.442. Since that date his numbers have fallen to .197/.248/.378, and his struggles have intensified in recent weeks. Over his last 21 games, Volpe is 9 for 72, a .125 batting average, and has struck out 29 times.
The decline has raised concerns about both performance and durability. Volpe has been a fixture of the Yankees’ infield and lineup, and the shoulder issue comes at a time when consistency at the position is important for New York’s roster construction and defensive alignment. The club has not said that the injury required surgery and noted earlier there was no structural damage found after the May incident.
Cortisone injections are commonly used to reduce joint inflammation and pain, and teams sometimes use them to manage short-term symptoms so a player can continue to compete while avoiding more invasive treatment. The Post reported the shot was administered Wednesday, but the Yankees did not provide a timetable for any return to full strength or further treatment plans.
Volpe’s season-to-date performance and recent stretch of poor results will be monitored as the Yankees evaluate lineup options and defensive alignments. The team’s medical staff and coaching personnel are expected to track his response to the injection and adjust playing time if necessary. Any changes to the roster or official injury designations would be announced by the Yankees in follow-up communications.
The Yankees have routinely emphasized player health and workload management in recent seasons. Volpe’s situation joins a list of players across Major League Baseball who have received cortisone injections during the season to manage pain and maintain availability. The club will seek to balance short-term needs with long-term health as evaluations continue.