Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe drew criticism after a base-running mistake during Game 2 of the three-game series against the Nationals in Washington on Saturday. The error occurred in the fifth inning when Volpe hit a slow roller to third base, which was overthrown at first, leading him to attempt to reach second.
What he didn’t realize was that the ball bounced off the dugout fence and was promptly retrieved by Nationals second baseman Nasim Nunez, who then threw to shortstop CJ Abrams, who tagged out Volpe at second with ease.
Fans were quick to share their reactions to the moment, with many criticizing Volpe for a lack of situational awareness.
Volpe has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .248 batting average, one home run, 13 RBIs, and a .672 OPS over 44 games. Since returning from rehab following October 2025 surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder, he’s had trouble regaining his usual rhythm at the plate.
Are the Yankees Eyeing a Surprise Face to Replace Anthony Volpe at SS?
According to MLB.com’s Joel Sherman and Alexander Wilson of Empire State Media, the Yankees are considering promoting their top minor league prospect, George Lombard Jr., to the Major Leagues this season. The 21-year-old, a traditional shortstop, has demonstrated significant potential in the MiLB since being drafted in 2023.
Although the Yankees were long considered a potential destination for CJ Abrams to address their shortstop issues, negotiating a deal with the Nationals for their star player appears difficult. Meanwhile, Lombard Jr., a homegrown talent, shows strong potential to succeed in the majors.
Lombard started 2026 in Double-A, posting a .312/.400/.571 line with four homers and 10 RBIs in 90 at-bats before moving up to Triple-A. His performance at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre declined, hitting .231/.381/.385 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 197 plate appearances, but he was improving before the injury.
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