After being discarded by several teams in the last couple of years, infielder/outfielder Matt Carpenter landed on the New York Yankees with the hope of landing, at least, a utility role with some pinch-hit appearances and an occasional start.
Not only he did that, but he also became an integral part of the lineup and a semi-regular player for the Yanks.
That was before suffering a left foot fracture after fouling off a ball on August 8.
At this point, it’s unlikely that Carpenter is ready to return before the end of the regular season, but making it back for the next playoff round should the Yankees advance is a real possibility.
NJ Advance Media Brendan Kuty had the latest on Carpenter’s foot.
“Matt Carpenter is out of the boot, can do more weight bearing things, might stand in on a bullpen session today. Will get another X-ray in 9 or 10 days. All via Boone,” Kuty tweeted.
Matt Carpenter is out of the boot, can do more weight bearing things, might stand in on a bullpen session today. Will get another X-ray in 9 or 10 days. All via Boone. #Yankees
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) September 21, 2022
Carpenter Is Not Out Of The Woods Yet
Those X-rays in nine or ten days will likely dictate the 36-year-old thumper’s fate for the season.
If he shows enough healing, he will likely have time to return for the ALCS.
If he doesn’t, he will likely be out for the year.
In any case, it has been an incredible season and comeback story for the veteran slugger.
In just 128 at-bats, Carpenter was slashing .305/.412/.727 with 15 home runs and a 1.139 OPS for the Yanks, becoming a key left-handed slugger which came in handy at the time of building the lineup for Boone.
Having him back would be huge for the Yankees, although he will have to regain his rhythm at the plate on the go in the most stressful and high-leverage of spots: the postseason.
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