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The New York Yankees have built up some momentum as they head into a series with the Chicago White Sox, but the positive energy hasn’t reached one key player.
After being relegated to the bench as his season spirals out of control, shortstop Anthony Volpe returned to the lineup against the Washington Nationals, only for his issues at the plate to reach a brutal new low.
“As part of another hitless day for the slumping shortstop, Volpe was booed after he struck out to end the Yankees’ nine-run third inning in an 11-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday,” Dan Martin wrote for the New York Post. “He hasn’t had a hit — or even reached base — in 25 straight plate appearances.”
After a Gold Glove Award rookie season, Volpe seemed set to become the Yankees’ next franchise shortstop to follow Derek Jeter. But he has seen a harsh regression on both offense and defense this year and seems increasingly in danger of losing his everyday role to utility man Jose Caballero.
With the shortstop’s season seemingly as low as it can get, franchise slugger Aaron Judge spoke out publicly on how he wants to see Volpe respond.
“Are you gonna use it to crumble and in a negative way or just tell yourself you’ve got to play better?” Judge asked, per Martin. “You have to use it as motivation.”
After returning from his reset in even worse form than before, Volpe has little choice but to find some kind of motivation in the adversity. But that will be easier said than done as the Yankees face a final stretch to the playoffs and with home fans losing their patience.
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