Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe committed two defensive errors during the team's 7-5 win over the Rays on Tuesday. Volpe has now made 15 errors this season, which is tied for the most in MLB.
Though Volpe's home run and two hits were crucial in the Yankees' win, he gave the Rays another chance with a poor throw to first base during the ninth inning. The 2023 Gold Glove winner has not played up to his previous defensive standard, and been a key part of the Yankees' overall struggles this season, a major concern as the team looks to return to the World Series in October.
Despite Volpe's woes, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is not planning to bench Volpe or sit him as a mental reset.
"Clearly, he's gone through some struggles here and in some key moments not made some plays," Boone said Wednesday. "I think Anthony's super tough, and I think he's wired for this. We think of slumps or struggles more offensively, it happens with even really good players on that side of the ball."
"I believe his best days are in front of him this year and beyond."
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 30, 2025
Aaron Boone gives an extended answer about Anthony Volpe's defensive struggles and what his message to Volpe is right now: pic.twitter.com/FLGccULl5r
Boone continued, "My message to him is, 'You're really good at this.' And that's reality. He's a Gold Glove player, he makes plays that people can't make. He's a playmaker out there. He's made some mistakes on some balls that he needs to nail down, but it happens to guys at different points of their career. I believe his mental toughness and his wiring will get him through this, and we'lI all work right there with him to get through it too. I believe his best days are in front of him this year and beyond."
Volpe remains determined as well to turn around his performance defensively. “I’ve never really experienced something like this,” Volpe said Tuesday. “But I’ve got really good guys around me. I know what I’m capable of. It’s obviously frustrating, but it’s not discouraging. I know the standard I have for myself. I’m going to keep pushing until I prove it to myself every day."
"I've never really experienced something like this, but you got really good guys around me. I know what I'm capable of."
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 30, 2025
Anthony Volpe was asked if he's ever experienced a defensive slump like this in his career: pic.twitter.com/IRGCN7GZog
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Yankees' Aaron Boone Sends Encouraging Message to Anthony Volpe Amid Defensive Struggles.
