The Yankees announced ahead of Thursday's game that they had placed first baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit on the 10-day injured list with left knee inflammation. On Sunday, they transferred Voit to the 60-day injured list, ending his season.
Voit, 30 years old, has had his availability greatly restricted this season by various injuries. He'll finish the season having appeared in just 68 regular season contests, in which he batted .239/.328/.437 (109 OPS+) with 11 home runs. This marks Voit's fourth trip to the injured list this season.
The Yankees took out an insurance policy of sorts on Voit at the deadline when they traded for Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo has hit .252/.342/.409 (107 OPS+) since arriving in the Bronx. The Yankees will have a decision to make at season's end on whether to attempt to re-sign Rizzo, an impending free agent, or to roll with Voit (or another option) as their Plan A at first base heading into 2022.
The Yankees will enter Sunday's game against the Rays needing a win to clinch one of the American League wild-card spots. If the Yankees lose Sunday, and either the Blue Jays or Mariners win, they will play in a Game 163 tiebreaker on Monday. Here's a guide to the AL wild-card tiebreaker scenarios.
