Edwin Encarnacion
Frank Franklin II/AP Photo

The New York Yankees and manager Aaron Boone are confident that righty slugger Edwin Encarnacion will be back at some point this season.

General manager Brian Cashman failed to bring in a starting pitcher to bolster a suspect starting rotation, but he managed to land Edwin Encarnacion to fortify the lineup. The right-handed first baseman should be back for the New York Yankees at some point this season.

The three-time All-Star hit the injured list with a right wrist fracture he suffered on Aug. 3.

Encarnacion resumed baseball activities on Saturday and according to manager Aaron Boone, he performed well. When it comes to a definitive timetable for Encarnacion’s return, Boone wasn’t able to provide specifics.

“No, but certainly expect him back,’’ Boone said on Saturday per George A. King III of the New York Post. “Hopefully he is not too far off.’’

Encarnacion has been hot and cold since joining the Yankees, but it’s hard to argue with his overall production. In 36 games since joining the Bombers, he has nine home runs, 27 RBIs with a slash line of .238/.327/.497.

Right now, Mike Ford is platooning at first base with DJ LeMahieu. Entering Sunday, Ford is slashing .200/.308/.389 with five home runs and nine RBIs.

Luke Voit is still rehabbing from a sports hernia and is far closer to a return than Encarnacion at this point. Voit is already playing in rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Entering Sunday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees hold a commanding 8.5-game lead over Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.


NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.