Taillon’s season could be in jeopardy
TORONTO — Jameson Taillon’s partially torn tendon in his right ankle, which he re-injured in Tuesday’s start, puts the rest of his season in jeopardy.
Aaron Boone said he wasn’t sure if Taillon would be able to return before the end of the year.
“It’s tough to tell right now,’’ Boone said. “Based on him [Tuesday] night, coming out [of the game], maybe not. Based on [Wednesday] and how it looks, at least it’s in play, still.”
Taillon said he felt the injury about three pitches before he threw his final pitch of the night against the Blue Jays, adding it was in a different area than the previous injury and left him “tentative” about pushing off.
He’s hoping to get another MRI exam to see if there’s further damage, since surgery could be an option, or if he might be able to see if he can pitch again this season and just deal with the pain.
Luke Voit got his first at-bat in a week when he pinch hit for Brett Gardner in the seventh inning of
Wednesday’s 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays — and it didn’t look good.
Voit struck out swinging and ran to first when the ball got away from Reese McGuire behind the plate — even though the play didn’t allow Voit to go to first. But it was clear Voit wasn’t healthy, as he limped to first and back into the dugout.
Boone said Voit is getting treatment for a bone bruise on the knee.
“He should be OK,” Boone said. The scarcity of at-bats has taken a toll on Voit, who entered Wednesday in a 2-for-21 rut. Both hits, though, were homers. He also walked four times and had seven strikeouts.
“I know he’s frustrated, especially this past week, with the lack of playing time,’’ Boone said. “I would say it hasn’t impacted his work or desire and willingness to stay ready. Anything can happen at any moment and maybe [it’s] the biggest at-bat of the season.”
Boone also pointed to a stretch after Anthony Rizzo returned from the
COVID-IL and Voit still started on occasion and frequently pinch hit.
The manager said he could see opportunities arise like that again, even with the Yankees done with playing in National League parks — unless they get to the World Series.
“There are definitely spots for him that make sense and we won’t hesitate to use him,’’ Boone said.
Andrew Heaney was optioned to make room for Jonathan Loaisiga’s return from the IL. The left-hander needed to approve of the move, since he was out of minor league options and would have otherwise been exposed to waivers. He’ll go to Tampa, where Heaney will work on possibly being a 2022 possibility for the Yankees — although Boone did not discount the idea he could pitch again in the majors this season.
The Yankees had their 19-game streak with a homer snapped Wednesday. It was the third-longest in franchise history, behind a 31-game streak in 2019 and a 25-game stretch in 1941.