New York Yankees: The latest update on Luke Voit’s knee

New York Yankees, Luke Voit
Jun 14, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Luke Voit (45) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees want their players to get to the season in top shape, and that means slowly ramping up baseball activities, fielding drills, baserunning situations, at-bats, and more. However, they expect ballplayers to understand that these warmup games should be taken with caution and, if possible, avoid hard slides and unnecessary tags, like Luke Voit in Thursday’s win against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Yankees’ hulking first baseman has been dealing with some knee issues this week. They started on Tuesday and kept him out of Wednesday’s lineup. He returned yesterday, but was involved in a scary play that could have had a much worse outcome.

The Yankees’ first baseman gave everyone a scare

Voit, who acted as the New York Yankees’ designated hitter after his knee issues in the last couple of days, was thrown out at third base trying to advance on a Clint Frazier’s fly out to left field, which was completely unnecessary in an exhibition game. He appeared somewhat shaken and was seen talking to the trainer in the dugout.

Thankfully, he appears to have dodged a bullet, just like the Yankees.

“Obviously not a very smart tag up from second,” Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone said after a 6-1 win in Clearwater, Fla, per NJ Advance Media. “I think he really just wanted to test it and felt like he was feeling good. He actually came off the field saying, ‘I felt really good.’ Hopefully we’ll have a better decision come regular season on that one. But he came out of it fine.”

Voit was the Yankees (and MLB’s) leader in home runs last season and will try to repeat that kind of power display, but he will need to be healthy if he wants to be on the field, and unnecessary slides won’t help him.