Voit appears likely to be activated for today’s game
Luke Voit was nowhere to be seen as the Yankees took early batting practice on Friday, an unusual sign for the first baseman. Before the All-Star break, he had been on the field early doing all his work and pushing to come off the injured list for this game, the first game back after the break.
But the Yankees made him wait.
“He’s probably en route now, and we’ll likely active him tomorrow. So, he’s passed all his things down in Tampa, he’s been working out down there, all his running necessary, had a light workout this morning there, and then he’s coming here with the idea that he’ll be activated tomorrow,” Aaron Boone said before Friday
night’s series opener against the Blue Jays at the Stadium.
Voit has been on the IL since July 2 with an abdominal strain.
NOT SO CLOSE
Giancarlo Stanton, who is on his second stint on the injured list, is not close to resuming baseball activities, Boone said before Friday night’s game.
“He is just still in the rehab phase. It’s kinda going slow working on the things basically in the training room, quad strengthening, getting swelling outta there, those kinda things, but hasn’t begun even moving toward baseball activities yet,” the Yankees manager said.
Stanton went on the IL for the second time June 26 with a right knee strain. He has
missed nine games this time. He spent April 1 to June 18 on the IL with a left biceps and shoulder strain before having a left calf strain.
The 29-year-old hit 38 homers and drove in 100 runs over 158 games last season. He has played in nine games this season, hit one homer and drove in seven runs.
BETANCES READY TO GO
Dellin Betances is close to attempting another ramp up, according to Boone.
“Dellin’s set to probably start throwing on Monday,” Boone said. “He’s doing well and kinda chomping at the bit, so he should start that on Monday.”
After struggling with his velocity all spring, Betances was initially diagnosed with an impingement in his right shoulder. After a further issue with a bone spur in his right shoulder, Betances was then diagnosed with a right lat strain.
The 31-year-old set-up man has yet to throw a pitch this season.
TAKING NOTICE
Brian Cashman started the imaginations going Friday afternoon. The Yankees GM brought up the 20-year old right hander Deivi Garcia as “pushing himself into the mix,” down the stretch, while speaking to Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin on their Sirius XM show Friday.
Garcia dominated at Double-A, earning the start at the Futures Game and then getting promoted to Triple-A, where he will make his first start on Monday.
Boone said he’s also been watching the youngster.
“He’s one of those guys that’s been on the radar the past couple of years. Last year having a really good year and this year taking it to another level and really I think getting the attention of not only us but all of the baseball world obviously knowing about him now with him starting the Futures Game and everything going along with that,”Boone said. “He’s a guy we’re really excited about.”
Garcia already jumped from High-A to Double-A this season. He went a combined 4-5 with a 3.01 ERA in a combined 14 games. In 68.2 innings Garcia allowed 50 hits, struck out 114 and walked 33.
The 68.2 innings is a red flag on Cashman’s comments considering he has only pitched 74 in a professional season, meaning his limit would likely be 104 this year.
Cashman also pointed out that the Yankees were “unlikely,” to include Garcia in a trade for a “rental” player, but did not rule out trading him all together.