UPDATE: In a critical moment for the New York Yankees, shortstop Anthony Volpe committed his 12th fielding error of the season during a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 31, 2023. This miscue ties him for the most errors in the American League, raising urgent concerns about his defensive performance as the season progresses.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his frustrations, stating Volpe has made “a few too many” errors this season. The rookie sensation, who won the AL Gold Glove in 2023 with 17 errors over 1,346 2/3 innings, is now struggling with consistency, having already matched last year’s total of 16 errors in just over 846 defensive innings this year.
Volpe’s latest error came in the fifth inning, where an errant throw to first base allowed Toronto to score during a four-run rally. “I rushed the throw and pulled it, giving Paul Goldschmidt a tough pick to handle,” Volpe admitted after the game. The shortstop’s struggles were compounded by a throwing error from third baseman Oswald Peraza just moments before, showcasing the defensive woes that have plagued the Yankees against the Blue Jays this season.
“It’s been a month now where we haven’t been our best,” Boone said. “We need to start playing better consistently and putting wins in the win column. That’s all we can really worry about.”
Despite the mounting pressure, teammates remain supportive. Left-hander Carlos Rodón voiced his confidence in Volpe, urging fans to “just hang with him.” Rodón emphasized that the young player will improve and contribute positively to the team moving forward.
The Yankees are now 2-6 against Toronto this season, suffering losses in their last five matchups. As they grapple with a 10-17 record against AL East opponents, the urgency for improvement is palpable. The Yankees need to address their defensive lapses to regain momentum in the season.
With the pressure mounting, all eyes will be on Volpe and the Yankees as they prepare for their next matchup. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if the team can turn around their performance and reclaim their status in the competitive AL East.
