Yankees' Anthony Volpe has left shoulder surgery, source confirms

As expected, Anthony Volpe went under the knife.

The 24-year-old shortstop, who struggled much of the season on both sides of the ball, underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, a source confirmed.

The procedure was performed by the club’s team doctor, Christopher Ahmad.

Volpe, who just finished his third season at shortstop, hit .212 with 19 homers and a .663 OPS in 153 games. Volpe, a Gold Glove winner at short in his first season, committed an AL-leading 19 errors, with rival scouts noting throughout the season how unsure Volpe looked at times with his positioning and throwing.

Volpe’s difficulties in the field may have contributed to the Yankees parting ways earlier this week with first base/infield coach Travis Chapman. The Yankees also parted ways with longtime bullpen coach Mike Harkey, a popular figure with the pitching staff, and there could be additional changes to Aaron Boone’s staff as hitting coach James Rowson is expected to interview for the Twins manager position and third-base coach Luis Rojas already has interviewed for the same post in Baltimore.

Volpe, is expected to be healed in time for the 2026 regular season, though it cannot be said with certainty the infielder’s spring training won’t be impacted. Volpe’s starting job is not in jeopardy, but top prospect George Lombard Jr., who finished the season at Double-A Somerset, could put himself in play at some point in 2026 and trade deadline acquisition Jose Caballero can play a solid, and at times spectacular, shortstop.

Volpe’s injury traced back to May 3 in a game against the Rays when the shortstop made a diving attempt on a play and, alarmingly, after the game said he felt “a pop.”

Volpe, though never using the shoulder as an excuse, played through consistent discomfort, was seen in the clubhouse after every game after May 3 with a large ice pack on the shoulder. He received a cortisone shot during the All-Star break and another after aggravating the injury in early September.

There were flashes of improved play after Volpe returned to the lineup on Sept. 16 — Caballero started six straight games from Sept. 10-15 — but the playoffs overall were a disaster. After a promising Wild Card Series against the Red Sox when he went 4-for-11 with a homer, Volpe skidded in the four-game Division Series loss to the Blue Jays, going 1-for-15 with 11 strikeouts.

“A lot of work to be done,” Volpe said after the Game 4 loss to Toronto. “I know I could have done a lot better.”

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.