Yankees shut down Luke Voit for the remainder of the 2021 season

NEW YORK - Days after placing Luke Voit on the 10-day injured list, the Yankees effectively ended his season Sunday.

Prior to playing a critical Game 162, the Yankees transferred the slugging, right-handed hitting first baseman to the 60-day IL. 

Voit landed on the IL Thursday due to left knee inflammation, injuring himself while running to first base during a 6-5 Yankees loss at Toronto. 

Though he's controlled by the Yankees through the 2024 season, the possibility exists that Voit has played his last game in pinstripes. 

Voit, 30, is bound to be the subject of trade talk again this winter, though first base is an unsettled position on the 2022 Yankees.

Current first baseman Anthony Rizzo is a free agent after this season. DJ LeMahieu could be switched to first base, with Gleyber Torres now back as the club's second baseman. 

As a corresponding move, the Yankees selected right-hander Brody Koerner and optioned him to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

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It's been a difficult season for Voit, after leading MLB with 22 home runs in last year's 60-game pandemic-affected season. 

Voit's season was delayed until May due to left knee surgery and he later went back on the IL this summer due to knee inflammation. 

During that time, GM Brian Cashman swung a trade deadline deal with the Chicago Cubs for Rizzo, and Voit was actively shopped but no suitable trade was found. 

In just 68 games this year, Voit batted .238 with 11 homers and 35 RBI.

Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.

Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera