New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe undergoes major surgery after team's miserable playoff exit

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has undergone shoulder surgery, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, who reports the local product actually played with the injury since May.

Volpe took significant criticism in 2025 as he struggled to improve during his third MLB season. The 24-year-old still showed good power, hitting 18 home runs, but saw his batting average and on-base percentage fall to .212 and .272 – among the worst marks of any qualifying player in the majors.

He was even worse in the American League Division Series, going just 1 for 15 as the Yankees fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in four games. 

If Volpe has a typical recovery, he should be ready for the regular season, a source told Heyman.

Volpe first hurt his non-throwing shoulder back on May 3 while diving for a grounder against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Yankees could have options in free agency if they do want to replace Volpe at shortstop. The Jays’ Bo Bichette is expected to be a free agent and Boston’s Trevor Story can opt out of his own deal, giving Yankees GM Brian Cashman two chances to poach a shortstop from a division rival. 

Cashman does have other concerns, though, such as outfielder Cody Bellinger’s player option.

The 30-year-old former All-Star had an impressive debut season in the Bronx, hitting .272 with 29 home runs while playing all three outfield spots and first base.

It’s unclear if the Yankees will try to re-sign Bellinger if and when he does opt out of his current deal.

Then there is Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker, who, at 29, is considered to be the jewel of this year’s free-agent class. A former World Series champion with the Houston Astros, Tucker would likely need to move to left in he signed with the Yankees, who already have Aaron Judge in right field.

The problem there is Tucker could command a contract rivaling Judge’s $40 million annual price tag and it's unclear if the Yankees can afford that. 

Finally, there is the problem of a Yankees bullpen that posted a 4.37 earned-run average in 2025 (worse than all but six teams) as off-season acquisition Devin Williams unraveled in the Bronx.