Anthony Volpe provides the runs in return from tummy trouble as swing changes keep yielding results

Source: ArcaMax

PHOENIX - When the Yankees scratched Anthony Volpe from their Sunday lineup against the Astros, fans of the injury-plagued team understandably started to panic on social media.

It wasn't until a few minutes later, when a Yankees spokesperson cited an upset stomach for the late absence, that tweeters calmed down. Volpe was one of several Yankees who went on the team's exhibition trip to Mexico City just before Opening Day, and tummy troubles have affected others who ventured south of the border.

That's why pink bottles of Pepto-Bismol and salty snacks like pretzels and crackers have been a common sight in the Yankees' clubhouse since the start of the season.

"He's pretty ill," Aaron Boone said of Volpe after sweeping the Astros. "We'll see. He was in the handshake line with a smile on, but it's been a rough day."

As for his own health, Boone added, "I think I'm getting there. It hasn't been the greatest five days. Shaking hands at the end of the day sure helps."

While Volpe, a constant in the lineup during his rookie season, could not play on Sunday, he found himself back at shortstop in the Yankees' series-opener against the Diamondbacks on Monday. In fitting fashion, he provided the runs -- or at least a few of them -- in a 5-2 win over the defending National League champs.

Volpe's first at-bat produced a second-inning double. Austin Wells then pushed him to third before a bloop single from Oswaldo Cabrera brought Volpe home.

Then came the third inning, when Volpe knocked an RBI single up the middle. Another sac fly from Wells led to a comedy of Diamondbacks errors, which allowed Alex Verdugo and Volpe to score.

After a fifth-inning single, Volpe's final act resulted in an eighth-inning double.

All in all, he finished the game 4-for-4 with two runs scored, two doubles and an RBI. He is now hitting .571 with a 1.667­ OPS, one home run, three RBI, four walks and three strikeouts after the first four-hit game of his young career.

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