Aaron Choose’s large postseason efficiency made it straightforward to overlook he’s been coping with a flexor pressure in his proper elbow since July. The slugger had a number of hits in all however one recreation throughout the primary two rounds of the playoffs. Choose engineered a defining postseason second in Recreation 3 in opposition to Toronto, smashing a game-tying homer off Louis Varland.
With the Yankees now headed into the offseason, Choose was requested in regards to the plan for his ailing elbow. “We’ll positively do some work on it and get it proper,” Choose advised reporters, together with Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. When requested about surgical procedure particularly, Choose remained noncommittal. “I’m not a health care provider. I don’t know.”
The flexor pressure pressured Choose to the IL in late July. It was a minimal stint on the IL, however he was unable to play the sector upon returning. Choose spent all of August at DH. He made it again to his acquainted dwelling in proper subject on September 5. Choose bounced between proper subject and DH for the ultimate month of the season. Within the playoffs, he performed solely within the subject, with Giancarlo Stanton manning the DH spot in all seven video games.
Preliminary assessments didn’t reveal any ulnar collateral ligament injury for Choose. His restoration from surgical procedure to deal with the flexor pressure, if he had been to go that route, wouldn’t be so long as for a extra severe elbow damage like a UCL tear.
Anthony Volpe was equally tight-lipped about offseason surgical procedure for his shoulder damage. “I anticipated taking part in one other month after which reassessing then. So nothing’s [decided] … we’re going to determine it out,” Volpe advised reporters, together with Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Volpe partially tore the labrum in his shoulder again in Could. He didn’t go on the IL with the damage, however his efficiency suffered. Volpe slashed a strong .237/.328/.456 via April. His numbers tumbled to .205/.255/.374 over the ultimate 5 months of the season. Volpe acquired off to a robust begin within the postseason, going 4-for-11 with a house run within the Wild Card spherical in opposition to Boston. He collapsed within the ALDS, managing only one hit in 15 at-bats. Volpe struck out 11 occasions within the 4 video games in opposition to Toronto.
Relying on the severity of the tear, Volpe might elect surgical procedure and nonetheless be prepared for the 2026 season. Shohei Ohtani tore the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder in the course of the World Sequence in 2024. He made it again in time for spring coaching this yr.
Whereas Volpe by no means hit the IL with the shoulder concern, he did miss time in mid-September after receiving a cortisone injection. Midseason acquisition Jose Caballero began six straight video games at shortstop from September 10-15. Caballero receded to a bench position as soon as Volpe was deemed wholesome, however he did endear himself to Yankees followers with a walk-off single to clinch a postseason bid within the remaining week of the season. Caballero is underneath staff management via 2029 and will issue into New York’s center infield plans relying on the well being of Volpe.
It doesn’t matter what Choose and Volpe resolve on the surgical procedure entrance, they’ll positively be again with the staff subsequent season. The identical can’t be mentioned for Cody Bellinger, who’s dealing with a choice of his personal. Bellinger can decide out of the ultimate yr of his present contract with the Yankees. He’d be leaving $25MM on the desk in pursuit of an extended, probably extra profitable deal in free company.
Hoch handed alongside feedback from Bellinger in regards to the pending opt-out determination. As has been the theme with these Yankees, Bellinger didn’t say a lot. “Clearly, issues to debate with household and the agent and the enterprise aspect of all of it. However tonight, I’m simply going to soak all of it in and simply be part of the group yet one more time.”
Bellinger signed his present three-year, $80MM contract with the Cubs forward of the 2024 season. He might’ve opted out of the deal this previous offseason, however declined. Bellinger was then dealt to the Yankees. He slugged 29 dwelling runs in his first yr in pinstripes, his most since his 2019 NL MVP season. Bellinger additionally stayed wholesome, topping 600 plate appearances for simply the third time in his profession. He’s broadly anticipated to decide out of the ultimate yr of his deal.
