Luke Voit was giddy as he discussed the potential of playing in some Alternate Site sim games because it means he’s close to finally making his Yankees 2021 debut.
Voit has been rehabbing after getting surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus, and everything has been swell thus far in that process. In fact, if you ask Voit, he’s ready to play right now.
“I feel ready to go,” he told reporters on Friday. “Today, I got to run outside and do some cutting. I’ve been in Scranton this past week running sprints and everything, hitting and taking ground balls. I feel really good so should be playing in games soon. Still don’t know the official time of when I’m going to start, but I feel like I’m in a really good spot and ready to go.”
Manager Aaron Boone actually let the media know right after Voit that he will be playing for the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Tuesday to begin his final test before returning to the Bronx.
And Voit knows that there may be a few more games than in a normal rehab just to make sure he’s good to go.
“I’m sure they’ll make me play four or five [innings], kinda like spring training, and make me build up to seven in a couple games,” he explained. “But I’ve been hammering the [pitching] machine a lot, trying to get my timing back, and got some live BPs yesterday so it felt good to get back in the box.
“Don’t want to rush it too fast.”
Voit, the league’s home run leader a season ago, could definitely be used in a Yankees lineup that has had a slow start. The slugger knows it’s frustrating for his teammates to start off the first month of the season at the bottom of the division, but he is more than confident the tide will turn.
“Watching every game at home, it’s frustrating. You want to be there with the boys and I know some of them are pressing a little bit and trying to do too much,” Voit said. “But, hey, these guys had a good road trip. Obviously didn’t come out the way they wanted to yesterday, but I trust these boys are going to get the job done.”
Luke Voit is "chomping at the bit" to get back on the field with the Yankees:
"I miss the guys…I can't wait, I'm dying" pic.twitter.com/V1SH3yTuTt
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 30, 2021
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].