Yankees' Anthony Volpe Progresses in Recovery from Shoulder Surgery

Shortstop begins diving drills, swinging bat as he aims to return by April or May

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is making progress in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, having started diving drills and hitting progressions. Volpe, who underwent a procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, says he is "in a good spot" and feeling better each day as he works to get back on the field, potentially by April or May. The 23-year-old struggled with the injury for part of the 2025 season, which contributed to a downturn in his production, but is optimistic about his recovery and competing for the starting shortstop job with José Caballero.

Why it matters

Volpe's recovery is crucial for the Yankees, as he was expected to be their starting shortstop in 2026 after winning the job in spring training last year. His shoulder injury hampered his performance in 2025, and with Caballero now in the mix, Volpe will need to get healthy and regain his form to solidify his spot in the lineup.

The details

Volpe began doing diving drills last week, a key milestone in his recovery, and says his shoulder has responded well to the increased activity. He is also in the middle of his hitting progression and has experienced no setbacks so far. The injury first occurred in May 2025 when Volpe heard a "pop" while diving for a ball, leading to two cortisone shots during the season. While the second shot helped him finish the year stronger, Volpe's bat still struggled in the playoffs.

  • Volpe underwent shoulder surgery in October 2025.
  • Volpe began doing diving drills last week.
  • Volpe is currently in the middle of his hitting progression.

The players

Anthony Volpe

A 23-year-old shortstop for the New York Yankees who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

José Caballero

A shortstop acquired by the Yankees in 2025 who is expected to be the Opening Day starter at the position.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like I've been able to handle everything thrown at me so far.”

— Anthony Volpe (nypost.com)

“I definitely feel like it's healthy. I think I'm just progressing. The way I can tell [it's improving] is it's responding to the treatments. Every day is better, even if it's a very small amount. I feel better every day.”

— Anthony Volpe (nypost.com)

What’s next

The judge in Volpe's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

Volpe's recovery from shoulder surgery is a crucial storyline for the Yankees as they look to solidify their shortstop position for the 2026 season. His progress in drills and hitting is encouraging, but he will need to continue to check off boxes in his rehab to regain his starting job and prove he can be a productive hitter at the major league level.