Yankees Luke Voit Has Successful Rehab Stint At Somerset

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, NJ —When the Somerset Patriots began playing as the New York Yankees' Double-A affiliate this season, fans knew they would be seeing up-and-coming stars before they ever got to the Bronx. The agreement also means the occasional Bomber regular dropping by on a rehab assignment.

That happened this past week, as Yankees first basement Luke Voit suited up for the Patriots as he prepared to make his return to the major leagues after a right oblique strain. After playing five games for the Patriots, Voit was expected to rejoin the Yankees on Tuesday for the series versus the Kansas City Royals.

During his stint at Somerset, the 30-year-old Voit looked as if he was ready to return to the bigs, and showed why he is there in the first place. In fives games, all at TD Bank Ballpark against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Voit hit .438 with two home runs and six RBIs. The Patriots went 4-1 in those games.

In Friday's 8-1 win over the Flying Squirrels, Voit, wearing his Yankees batting helmet, led off and went 3-for-4, with three RBIs, including a towering solo homer to right center field in the bottom of the sixth inning. He added a two-run double and three runs scored.

"Those guys (like Voit) are big league. He's going to make adjustments," Patriots manager Julio Mosquera told the team's website. "It's good to see him hit the ball hard today."

The Patriots also drew a season-high 7,011 fans to the contest.

After leading Major League Baseball with 22 home runs during the abbreviated 2020 season, Voit has been injured for much of this campaign. He missed the first 34 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Then, he played just 12 games before returning to the injured list with the oblique strain on May 16.

"I got to do some damage when I’m back out there," Voit told the New York Post on June 16. "I just want to get back (to the majors). This is killing me."