Yankees’ Anthony Volpe gets day off for first time this season

The opportunity for Anthony Volpe to participate in all 162 games this season has passed.

Volpe had a full day of leisure for the first time this season on Saturday, sitting out the Yankees’ 3-0 loss to the Rays.

Before Saturday, the rookie shortstop had appeared in all 128 games for the Yankees this season, despite not starting in six games.

Volpe was the final Yankee to participate in every game, but that tradition has now ended.

Before the game, manager Aaron Boone stated, “I think it’s beneficial that he’s played every day.” “The fact that he has played every single day is cause for concern. He has never played a complete Major League Baseball season through the month of September and such. Whether it’s 152, 162, or 156, you enjoy seeing such numbers.His capacity to post, I believe he has remained physically fit, which is encouraging. I believe he has managed the rigors of his first season at this level as a Yankees shortstop exceptionally well.

Since Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui in 2005, the Yankees have not had a player appear in all 162 games of a season.

The 22-year-old Volpe did not take batting practice on the field prior to Saturday’s game, as it appeared the Yankees were attempting to spare him his usual pregame work.

Last year, Volpe played in 132 games and made 596 plate appearances between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. This was the most games he has ever played in a single season as a professional.

Volpe has 474 plate appearances this season.

While he has experienced his fair share of difficulties at the plate, he has shown more signs of improvement in the second half, in addition to playing solid defense overall.

Saturday morning at the Yankees’ player development complex in Tampa, Anthony Rizzo (post-concussion syndrome) and Josh Donaldson (calf strain) participated in live batting practice against the rehabilitating Luis Gil (Tommy John surgery).

Boone stated that Donaldson could begin a rehab assignment “soon,” although he is not eligible to return until September 14.

Boone stated that the Yankees would “at some point” like to evaluate Triple-A catching prоspect Austin Wells at first base.