Luke Voit Starts Triple-A Rehab Friday and Leads Off for RailRaiders

The days of watching New York Yankees first baseman Mike Ford struggle through another 0-for-3 day could finally be over, as Luke Voit is nearing a return to the major leagues.

The 28-year-old first baseman, who has missed the better part of the last month with a hernia (a recurrence of an earlier issue), is leading off for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton, indicating that his return is coming sooner rather than later, as expected.

In 94 games during his first full season with the Yankees following a trade deadline move last year, Voit is hitting .278 with 19 home runs, 54 RBI, and a sterling OPS+ of 135.

Voit's return couldn't come at a better time, as the offense is starting to sputter, and Edwin Encarnacion is also on the IL with an injury. His return would give the Yankees another thunderous (and patient) bat in the middle of their lineup.

The brawny Missouri slugger is nearing a return to the Bronx, and he's just what the Yankees need to stave off challengers in the AL.