Midway through the 2019 campaign leaving first baseman Luke Voit off the postseason roster would seem ludicrous for the New York Yankees. In recent days, he is slumping with a 1-for-32 stat line. Voit boasted a .886 OPS before going down with a sports hernia injury.
Ever since Voit returned, his statistical totals have plummeted, and he rejects the idea that the injury may be playing a part. He was hitting .263/.378/.464 before September, and is now slashing .194/.326/.347 over 86 at-bats.
If his lingering sports hernia injury is causing him problems, sitting him for the postseason might not be the worst idea. The Yankees and manager Aaron Boone could elect to side with Mike Ford as the backpup first baseman moving forward. Ford has been an offensive machine during the last few weeks of the season, slashing a power-centric .259/.350/.559 with 12 homeruns.
His strikeout rate of 17.2% over 163 plate appearances makes him a safe option for the postseason. Utility man DJ LeMahieu will likely feature at first base on the defensive side of the ball, which would make Ford an alternative and potential designated hitter. The hope is that Edwin Encarnacion, another Yankee slugger, will be available for the playoffs. Boone recently stated that Edwin was not in the right mental space and still working through an oblique strain he picked up several weeks ago.
With the series against the Minnesota Twins starting on Friday, the Yankees are hopeful that Encarnacion will be able to return, which would likely force Voit out of the Yankees first-round matchup. It is undoubtedly an unfortunate circumstance for a player that was so productive earlier in the year, but the postseason is a tricky beast and requires only the best talent that is carrying positive momentum.
Extra New York Yankees quotes:
“If I am not 100 percent, I am close,’’ said Encarnacion two days ago.
“Not 100 percent but close, 80 to 85,’’ the first baseman added. “I am playing catching, running and doing everything.’’