Is it possible the New York Yankees will have a larger playoff role for Anthony Volpe than expected?
The New York Yankees now know the AL East is no longer an option, so with a Wild Card spot already clinched, it's time the Yankees started focusing on their playoff roster.
Things took a turn on Tuesday when Jazz Chisholm returned from the 10-day injured list after suffering a thumb injury earlier in the month, reclaiming his spot at second base.
But will Chisholm be a permanent fixture there in the playoffs? And is it possible Anthony Volpe could get more playing time than expected?
Chisholm had yet another mental lapse on Tuesday night, failing to cover first base on a bunt. Aaron Boone expressed clear frustration with Chisholm after the game and didn't rule out the possibility of Anthony Volpe playing some second base even with Chisholm back.
That begs the question: could Volpe end up being the Yankees' de facto second baseman against left-handed pitching in the postseason?
Chisholm does not hit lefties well. He is slashing .221/.268/.386 against them in 2026 and owns a lifetime .663 OSP versus southpaws.
Volpe hasn't exactly lit it up against left-handers, either (.719 OPS), but he does hit lefties slightly better than Chisholm, and given how frustrated Boone appears to be with Chisholm, there appears to be a chance Volpe gets some run.
The Boston Red Sox will be the Yankees' Wild Card Series opponent. They are absolutely loaded with left-handed pitching. It's basically Sonny Gray and then a bunch of southpaws. Does that mean Chisholm will be out of luck in that short series?
Of course, it's only a three-game set, but if it does go the full three, Volpe might get starts in two of them. That seemed unheard of in early August when Volpe was demoted to Triple-A, but now, it's a legitimate possibility for the 25-year-old.
It should also be noted that Volpe has shown some playoff chops in the past, particularly during New York's run to the World Series in 2024 when he slashed .286/.407/.408 with a home run and six RBI.
Is Volpe going to be anyone's favorite option? No, but he has demonstrated that he is not afraid of the bright October lights, and it's not like Chisholm has been good enough this season to warrant a guaranteed start every night.
It's also worth noting that Volpe has done a fine job defensively at second base, registering two defensive runs saved over 93.1 innings there thus far.
Just when Yankees fans thought they may have seen the last of Volpe, the former first-round pick may surprise them with potentially significant postseason playing time. And while that may not be preferable, New York may not have any other choice.
