


Hal Steinbrenner isn’t worried about Anthony Volpe’s struggles at the plate.
The Yankees owner said Tuesday the team has not considered sending the rookie shortstop to the minors amid a dreadful stretch that has seen his slash line fall to .189/.260/.345 over 67 games, with nine home runs and 14 stolen bases.
“I’ve had zero conversations about that,” Steinbrenner said at the owners’ meeting Tuesday in Manhattan. “I think defensively he’s been pretty solid. Pitchers have adjusted to him, now he’s going to have some adjustments to make himself. I don’t think any of this is out of the ordinary.”
Volpe, who emerged from a three-way spring training battle with Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to win the Opening Day spot at short, acquitted himself well enough that his role is not in any danger.
“I told Anthony at the end of spring training, I said you were the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees. This isn’t a three-week trial,” Steinbrenner said. “So you’re gonna be that through the ups and through the potential downs; and there probably will be downs. But again, I don’t think it’s anything unusual.”
However long a leash the Yankees are willing to give Volpe does not seem to have gotten any shorter for the 22-year-old despite his struggles at the plate.

When asked what the team will do if his scuffling continues, Steinbrenner simply gave his shortstop a vote of confidence.
“I believe he is going to improve, so that is how I would answer that,” he said.