By Canadian Press

Yankees put slugger Voit on 10-day injured list before critical game against Jays

Sep 30, 2021 | 4:56 PM

TORONTO — The New York Yankees put first baseman Luke Voit on the injured list Thursday afternoon ahead of a critical three-game series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Voit appeared to injure his knee while running to first base after a strikeout in Wednesday’s 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

He went on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation. The Yankees recalled right-hander Albert Abreu from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“We’ll get more tests when we get back to New York and see exactly what we’re dealing with,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in his pre-game media availability.

Voit, who has 11 homers in 68 games this season, has a history of knee issues. He came on as a pinch-hitter for Brett Gardner in Wednesday’s seventh inning and was noticeably limping as he walked back to the dugout.

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“If it’s a bone bruise, it may be something that just needs some time,” Boone said. “But we’ll see what we have when he gets more tests and see what the plan is as far as rehab and recovery.”

Boone said that slugger Joey Gallo would be available Thursday off the bench after Gallo’s favourable X-ray and CT scan results.

Gallo, who has 38 homers and 76 RBIs this season, was hit on the left arm by a Tim Mayza pitch in the seventh inning Wednesday.

“He’s feeling a lot better today and was able to go through his pre-game routine and everything,” Boone said.

Entering Thursday’s games, New York held the first of two American League wild-card positions. The Boston Red Sox, who were one game behind the Yankees, held the second spot.

The Seattle Mariners were a half-game behind Boston while the Blue Jays were one game behind the Red Sox.

New York, Boston and Toronto all had four games remaining while Seattle had three.

The Red Sox were scheduled to play the Orioles in Baltimore on Thursday night. The Mariners had the night off.

“I’m obviously following what the other teams are doing,” Boone said. “It is crazy but at the same time, it is blinders on. We’ve got an important game tonight and hopefully we can go out and grab it and really put ourselves in a good spot.”

The Blue Jays started the day with a 22.4-per cent chance of making the post-season, according to FanGraphs.

New York’s chances were 82.2 per cent ahead of Boston at 75.8 per cent and Seattle at 19.6 per cent.

Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo made a few changes to his lineup for the rubber match.

Corey Dickerson, who played left field a night earlier, was tabbed to replace Lourdes Gurriel Jr., as the designated hitter. Gurriel was limited this series due to a finger injury.

Randal Grichuk was set to start in right field, Teoscar Hernandez moved to left field and Alejandro Kirk replaced Reese McGuire at catcher.

The regular season concludes Sunday and the wild-card game is scheduled for Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2021.

Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press