With the regular season coming to a close, the New York Yankees are relatively healthy for the first time since the beginning of the season. While left-handed pitcher James Paxton will miss the rest of the year with a forearm flexor strain, the Yankees managed to gain back Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gleyber Torres. They will head into the postseason with their primary weapons available, but one of their top sluggers remains injured.
Luke Voit, who currently leads the league with 22 home runs, has been dealing with a foot injury for quite some time. After every at-bat, he limps back to the dugout, in obvious pain. However, he has still managed to start 38 games in a row without a break, and the old-school mentality he is showing with his toughness is exactly what the Yankees needed.
Giving him a rest day before the postseason commences is a necessity.
“Possibility he gets one (Sunday) and gets the two days going into the postseason,†Boone stated before the Yankees’ win over Miami on Saturday night.
Three days to rest his foot and recovery will be significant. The Yankees have been wildly inconsistent this season, going on extreme cold streaks and then exploding offensively.
On Saturday against the Marlins, a Tyler Wade homer in the fifth inning sparked an 11 run performance by the Bombers. Even Voit got into the action, launching a three-run homer in the sixth inning.
Boone has stated that Voit’s injury continues to improve, despite playing him on an everyday basis. He has been such a focal point for the team and their success, benching him would be malpractice at this point. If he’s willing to fight through the issue, the Yankees have no choice but to start him.
His availability during the postseason is essential, considering his success at the plate this season. He will finish the regular season with a .281 batting average, 22 homers, and 52 RBIs.