As the New York Yankees prepare to host their final series before the All-Star break, Matt Holliday comes off the DL and Sir Didi falls short in the Final Vote.
Good morning, Yankees family! I don’t know about you, but the All-Star break just can’t get here fast enough.
While the New York Yankees have dropped 16 of their last 22 games and are coming off a much-needed day of rest, help is on the way in the form of their clubhouse leader, Matt Holliday.
Holliday was eligible to come off the 10-day Disabled List on Thursday and was seen running on the field and taking batting practice prior to Wednesday’s loss, much to the delight of Yankees brass and fans alike.
Matt Holliday told me he hopes to return to the lineup on Friday. He did some running in the OF & took some BP today #yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) July 5, 2017
According to Yankees beat writer Brian Hoch, the 37-year old received word from team doctors that the allergic reaction Holliday suffered on June 17 in Oakland actually triggered the Epstein-Barr virus, which is typically a precursor for mononucleosis (aka the kissing disease). And with Holliday being so visibly fatigued, it makes total sense.
However, Holliday said he is feeling a lot better and doesn’t feel a minor league rehab assignment is necessary. While no official word has been released of his return today, both Holliday and team officials are hoping to put the slugger back in the lineup tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Not only has Holliday put up a .262/.366/.511 line in 68 games as a Yankee, but the former World Series champ owns the Brewers in his career after spending so much time in the National League Central. In 136 games against Milwaukee, Holliday owns a .313 batting average with 27 home runs and 92 RBI. Like I said, can’t get back soon enough.
Valiant ASG Final Vote Efforts By Sir Didi, But Not Enough
While Didi Gregorius did everything he could yesterday to accumulate the necessary number of votes to win the final spot for next week’s All-Star Game in Miami, the Dutch knight came up short to the Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.
#Needswipe i got you…#sirdidi4sure #belikemark pic.twitter.com/6FwDtcG6sJ
— Sir Didi Gregorius (@DidiG18) July 6, 2017
Sir Didi is definitely having an All-Star caliber season, slashing a .301/.329/.477 line with 10 long balls and 38 RBI in 60 games. In fact, the slick-handed shortstop has improved every year of his MLB career enough to where he is widely considered one of the game’s top shortstops at only 27 years of age.
But, therein lies the problem; it seems as though every shortstop, especially in the AL, is a top player at the position. Even the final vote included three outstanding shortstops (Xander Bogaerts, Elvis Andrus and Sir Didi) to further emphasize the league depth at short.
Unfortunately, this may have been the best shot that Sir Didi had at making the Mid-Summer Classic because of said depth. It appears as though Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor will be duking it out for the starting ASG job for the better part of the next decade.
Regardless, Sir Didi showed his appreciation for all the love he received during the voting process, as seen on his massively popular Twitter account.
Thank you fans #belikemark #sirdidi4sure #DIDIsDEEDs pic.twitter.com/CECzGH6wgZ
— Sir Didi Gregorius (@DidiG18) July 6, 2017
You’ll always be an All-Star in our book, Sir Didi.
That’s all from Yankee Universe for now. Be sure to stay tuned in to Elite Sports NY for all of your Yankee Baseball news and updates. Happy Friday, folks!
