Anthony Volpe is expected to miss time until June as he recovers from shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in early May. Despite the injury, the Yankees kept him in the lineup for 153 games, administering multiple cortisone shots in an attempt to manage the pain. This decision contributed to Volpe experiencing his worst professional season, underperforming significantly compared to his initial two seasons.
His prolonged absence has sparked discussions about how the Yankees might handle his return and the shortstop role, especially with Jose Caballero currently playing well and providing strong defense in Volpe’s stead. Manager Aaron Boone has been cautious in addressing whether Volpe will retain his starting position upon his comeback, refusing to provide a definitive answer amid ongoing speculation.
Yankees Consider Minor League Assignment to Extend Team Control
Joel Sherman of the New York Post raised a lesser-discussed possibility: the Yankees could send Volpe to the minor leagues when he returns from the injured list, which would delay his free agency by a full year. Volpe earned three years of major league service time after making the Yankees’ roster out of spring training in 2023. While players accrue service time on the major league injured list, time spent in the minors pauses that accumulation.
“Volpe currently would be a free agent after the 2028 season. But if he spends even 20 days in the minors, the earliest he could be a free agent is after the 2029 campaign. That matters to his salaries moving forward. It also could impact his trade value if the Yankees go that way because teams are always looking to have more control years when they obtain a player,”
Sherman noted.
Challenges in Volpe’s Development and Potential Return Strategy
Realistically, the Yankees likely want Volpe back in the majors as soon as he can contribute, with expectations he will reclaim the starting shortstop position once healthy. However, the severity of his injury and uneven development trajectory mean the team might opt to ease him back through limited minor league action. Volpe’s offensive struggles — reflected in a .222 batting average, .662 OPS, and 84 OPS+ — alongside declining defense suggest rushing his full return to MLB competition could be counterproductive.
Assigning him to Triple-A for at least 20 days upon his activation could help him regain form while simultaneously extending New York’s control over Volpe by an additional year, pushing his free agency to after the 2029 season rather than 2028. This delayed service time accrual would also temper his arbitration salary growth, which currently stands at nearly $4 million in his first year of arbitration.
Implications for Yankees’ Roster and Future Plans
The possible minor league stint raises two interpretations: it could increase Volpe’s trade value since many teams value extended control over players, especially small and mid-market clubs. Alternatively, it may represent a tactical move by the Yankees to buy more time with a player whose development has stalled. The organization, having invested heavily in Volpe as a former first-round pick, might use this approach to manage a difficult situation rather than pursue a costly trade with uncertain return.
Fans and analysts view this scenario with skepticism, concerned the strategy might prolong a flawed relationship instead of seeking a fresh start. Given the rarity of a suitable trade market for Volpe, the Yankees appear limited in options beyond attempting to maximize his value internally through additional service time extraction.
Outlook for Volpe’s Performance and Market Value in 2026
Ultimately, the best outcome hinges on Volpe’s actual performance once fully recovered. If he delivers strong results after his return in 2026, it would boost confidence in the Yankees’ shortstop position and improve his trade prospects significantly. Until then, both the team’s decision-making and Volpe’s progress will be closely scrutinized as the Yankees balance player development, financial control, and roster competitiveness.
