It was a perfect Saturday afternoon at the Yankees’ stadium against the Tampa Rays. The crowd witnessed the fire show of the home runs from their beloved captain, Aaron Judge, along with Austin Wells. Everything looked good, the sun was blazing, and the crowd was humming and waiting to celebrate a Yankee win. Then suddenly came a silence in the arena.
Yes, another day, another curveball from the baseball universe. The Bronx didn’t need that surprise. That injury! Diving to make a play, the Yankees’ shortstop converted a routine ground ball into a moment of collective gasps, grimacing and holding his left shoulder.
The medical staff arrived in chaos on the field, and the other players were worried for the 24-year-old Anthony Volpe. The shortstop had experienced a “pop” in his shoulder—a term no athlete wants to use. Despite the injury, he insisted on remaining in the game, displaying the courage and will that had endeared him to fans. And this time, more than the 3-2 loss, the Yankees were more bothered about the injury.
A teammate who has dealt with the injury knows precisely how it feels. The $80 million star player, Cody Bellinger, looked back on the situation and shared his thoughts. “I’ve been in that position. I haven’t talked to him about it yet, but it’s just a vulnerable position to be in.” Remember 2020? He had a dislocated shoulder and battled ongoing back problems while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I’ve been in that position. I haven’t talked to him about it yet, but just kind of a vulnerable position to be in”
Cody Bellinger talks about what was going through his mind when Anthony Volpe got injured in the 8th inning: pic.twitter.com/Io1hkuh8yL
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 3, 2025
For Anthony Volpe, it was a play he had done many times. But this time, something seemed off. He said, “I felt just something sharp and something like right on the spot, but then after that, it felt OK. Felt good after the testing because you feel like you can trust it, but right away you don’t really know.”
Though the team is not taking any chances, initial X-rays were negative. To guarantee no underlying damage, an MRI is probably next. Given the Yankees’ current injuries to important players like Jazz Chisholm Jr., DJ LeMahieu, and Gerrit Cole, the shortstop’s health becomes even more critical.
And concerns around the Yanks’ injuries and performance slump continue…
Bellinger’s slump deepens Yankees’ woes amid injury crisis
Cody Bellinger’s early-season difficulties are becoming a significant worry for the New York Yankees, particularly with essential guys like Jazz Chisholm Jr. out. Over 29 games, Bellinger, brought in to offer left-handed power and safeguard Aaron Judge in the lineup, is now hitting .196 with a .614 OPS, three home runs, and 16 RBIs. Equally concerning are his advanced statistics, which show an expected slugging percentage below .350 and an xwOBA just over .280, evoking his poor years in Los Angeles.
You can’t expect everything from Judge alone.
Chisholm’s injury—a high-grade oblique strain projected to keep him out for four to six weeks—makes the situation even more difficult. Despite a .181 batting average, Chisholm has been a vibrant presence, adding seven home runs and six stolen bases. The infield depth of the Yankees is also being challenged as DJ LeMahieu is suffering from a calf strain, with no obvious return date.
Bellinger’s 7.4% barrel rate and pull-side fly ball rate decrease to 14.5%, a notable fall from his best power-hitting era, show clearly his failure to take advantage of pitchers’ blunders. His battle against breaking balls, when he only hit .091, emphasizes the need for change even more.
Bellinger has to find his form back if the Yankees are to keep their competitive advantage. Although they don’t need MVP-level performance, a comeback in his offensive output is vital given the present lineup’s weaknesses. The squad’s success depends on Bellinger rising to cover the gap left by injured colleagues and offering the backing Aaron Judge requires in the batting order.
The depth of the Bronx roster is basically on the test. And they need to start giving answers.
The post “Vulnerable Position to Be In” – Yankees’ $80M Star Issues Empathetic Message to 24YO Teammate After Stunning Loss appeared first on EssentiallySports.
