Luke Voit’s nightmare 2021 might have just ended in fitting fashion.
The Yankees announced Thursday afternoon that Voit, the 2020 major league home run leader, will go on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his left knee, that same knee that was surgically repaired in the spring.
Voit, who hasn’t started a game since Sept. 22, pinch hit and struck out in the Yankees’ loss Wednesday. He looked to be in pain as he ran to first base after the third strike evaded Toronto catcher Reese McGuire (Voit couldn’t have reached first safely since there was a runner there).
“He woke up pretty stiff today and he’s limping around pretty good today,” manager Aaron Boone said Thursday, before the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 6-2. “I think he just kind of aggravated it when he slammed on the brakes there. We think it’s kind of that bone bruise that can be a result of that surgery that’s kind of been off and on for him. So we’ll get more tests when we get back to New York and see what we’re dealing with.”
This marks Voit’s fourth visit to the IL this year. He could return in the playoffs if the Yankees advance far enough, depending on what the tests show. Voit has struggled at the plate for much of the season after leading the majors with 22 homers during last year’s COVID-shortened season.
Joey Gallo, who left Wednesday’s game when he was drilled by a pitch in the left forearm, didn’t start against left-hander Robbie Ray, but Boone said he was healthy, and all of the tests taken had come back clean. Gallo entered Thursday as a defensive replacement for Giancarlo Stanton in left field.
For the fourth straight time, Kyle Higashioka started at catcher with Corey Kluber on the mound. Gary Sanchez started at designated hitter as Stanton moved to left field to cover for Gallo’s absence. Boone said Kluber had not requested Higashioka as his battery mate.
“Obviously we love having Higgy behind the plate, but as far as who he’s matched up with, [Toronto has] got a lefty in there [Ray],” Boone said. “We like Higgy’s bat against lefties and obviously what he brings behind the plate.”