NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe may be struggling, but Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made clear that the shortstop's not going anywhere.
Speaking at MLB headquarters ahead of the Owners Meetings, Steinbrenner said the team has had «zero conversations» about sending Volpe down to the minor leagues despite the 22-year old struggling at the plate, hitting .186/.260/.345 with nine homers and 1.0 bWAR in 67 games. «I told Anthony at the end of spring training I said you were starting shortstop of the New York Yankees,» Steinbrenner said. «This isn't a three week trial.
So you're going to be that through the ups and through the potential downs, and there probably will be downs.» In recent weeks, Volpe has shown signs of frustration, nearly slamming his bat after stranding the tying run on third to end Sunday night's 3-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
While Volpe has struggled hitting all year, he's begun struggling with the glove as well, tallying three outs below average, ranking among the worst defenders at the position.