The New York Yankees have had a hard time replacing Luke Voit’s production from the first base position. The slugger went down in March with a partially torn meniscus, and was given a rather long timetable.
The Yankees first tried Jay Bruce at first, but he struggled both offensively and defensively. DJ LeMahieu played a couple of games there, and then Mike Ford was recalled from the alternate training site, with good results so far.
However, while Ford is serviceable, the Yankees probably can’t wait to have Voit back. And, as it turns out, the hulky slugger himself can’t wait to return to the field and help his teammates achieve their objectives.
Voit is preparing for his first Minor League rehabilitation games, and is targeting a mid-May return according to the Yankees’ official site.
“I’ve been champing at the bit, watching every game at home,†Voit said on Friday. “I want to come back, and I miss the guys. It’s felt like I’ve been gone for two months. I can’t wait.â€
Voit has been doing baseball activities at the Yankees’ alternate site
Voit will play with the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, early next week. He said he will play there for about a week, starting with five innings and ramping up to nine.
According to Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone, Voit could return for the road trip that begins on May 11, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“The silver lining in all of this is, I think he’s really glad he went through with [the surgery] because of how good he’s feeling right now,†Boone said.
Voit has been sprinting, hitting, and fielding at the Yankees’ alternate training site.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot and ready to go,†Voit said. “I’ve just got to get at-bats, and that’s the big thing. I feel pretty good with my endurance right now. I know they want to make sure I feel great for when I return.â€