Matt Carpenter has enjoyed a resurgent 2022 campaign, in which he has provided the Yankees with the left-handed power they have needed. But he will now be out of the lineup for a while.
During Monday's contest against the Mariners, Carpenter fouled a ball off his foot. Though he tried to stay in the game, he was forced to leave after he swung and missed at the next pitch.
"When I went to swing on the next pitch, as soon as I started to plant and rotate on that back foot, my lower body like gave out and I wasn't able to," Carpenter said on Monday, according to ESPN. "Thankfully, probably the best thing that happened was to swing and miss -- because if I hit it and had to run, I might have made it worse. But I knew it wasn't good."
In a year full of bright spots in New York, Carpenter's season might rank among the biggest. Signed to a contract in May, the 36-year-old has launched 15 home runs in 47 games and slashed .305/.412/.727. His 1.138 OPS is the highest of his career, while his 15 homers are already his most since 2019.
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Here's the latest on Carpenter's injury.
Matt Carpenter injury update
After the game on Monday, the Yankees announced Carpenter had fractured his left foot after he fouled off a pitch in his first at-bat. The 0-1 pitch was fouled straight back onto his back foot.
He stayed in the game, but struck out on the next pitch.
Carpenter was replaced by Tim Locastro.
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So far this season, Carpenter has logged time at first base, third base, left field, right field and designated hitter.
“He's just become such an important factor in that room,” manager Aaron Boone said, according to the Yankees. “And everyone loves him. So it's a blow, but hopefully we get him back at some point.”
When will Matt Carpenter return?
Until Carpenter sees a foot specialist, which the Yankees reported will be upcoming, it is unknown how long he will be out. He could potentially miss the rest of the season, but he said he hopes to return before then.
“I don't want to say a number [of how long I could be out], because I just don't know,” Carpenter said, per the Yankees. “But I'm holding out hope that it'll be a situation where I could come back in the middle of September and can contribute towards the stretch run."
