Yankees call up first baseman Luke Voit and put him in lineup
The Cardinals' Luke Voit stands in the dugout against the Reds on June 9, 2018, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/John Minchillo
BOSTON — The Yankees wasted no time throwing Luke Voit into the deep end of the pool.
Voit, a righthanded hitting first baseman acquired last week from the Cardinals, was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Thursday and was inserted into the lineup for the first game of the four-game series against the Red Sox.
“Awesome,” Voit said before the game. “I got to be a part of Cubs/Cards and this is super similar, almost on a bigger stage. It was intense there and I can’t wait to play here. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Voit, who batted seventh as the DH and went 0-for-4, spent most of the season in the minors but played in eight games with the Cardinals, going 2-for-11, including one homer, three RBIs, two walks and two runs scored. He appeared in 62 games last season for St. Louis, hitting .246 with a .736 OPS with four HRs, nine doubles and 18 RBIs.
How would the 6-3, 225-pound Voit describe himself as a player?
“Obviously, a big guy, I hit for power,” Voit said. “But I’m also more well-rounded, too. I feel like I’m not a big guy who just strikes out or hits home runs. I hit doubles, I usually hit for average, too.
n Cessa rocked
The Yankeed called up righty Luis Cessa and optioned infielder Tyler Wade to Scranton.
Cessa entered Thursday’s game in the fourth inning with the Yankees trailing 10-4. He allowed five runs — all earned — and seven hits in 3 2⁄3 innings. The score was 15-6 when he was lifted in the eighth.
Cessa threw 51 pitches and is unlikely to start Saturday in place of Happ. Righty Lance Lynn could get the start.
n Let’s chat
Aaron Boone spoke with Gleyber Torres after Wednesday’s loss to the Orioles. The rookie homered twice but also committed a couple of blunders. He was late covering first base in the second inning on a bunt play and failed to cover second on a grounder in the third.
“He and I had a very good conversation and I don’t worry about Gleyber,” Boone said. “He’ll be ready to roll today and hopefully we’re better for things that went on yesterday.”
