Former Yankees slugger, MLB home run leader out for season in Japan

A former New York Yankees first baseman is out for the season with an injury in Japan. 

According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan on X, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles slugger Luke Voit underwent right elbow surgery. 

Voit began his Nippon Professional Baseball career with the Eagles in 2025. 

He hit 13 home runs with an .887 OPS in 67 games last season. However, he played in just 20 games this season and managed an ugly .353 OPS. 

Voit played seven seasons in the Majors, four of them with the Yankees. 

During the 60-game pandemic-shortened season in 2020, Voit led the Majors with 22 homers. 

MORE: Dodgers and Mets predicted to be only teams active in Tarik Skubal’s free agent market

He slugged 68 of his 95 Major League home runs in a New York uniform. Before the 2022 season, the Yankees traded Voit to the San Diego Padres for right-hander Justin Lange. 

After playing his final MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023, Voit took his talents to Mexico to suit up for the Olmecas de Tabasco in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. 

In Mexico, Voit connected for 23 homers with a .945 OPS in 81 games. 

More MLB news:

• Mariners’ Cal Raleigh on track to hit fewest HR after 60+ homer season in MLB history
• Mets have very fun Kodai Senga question to answer this season
• Former MLB pitcher critiques Pirates ace Paul Skenes' mechanics amid recent struggles
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could make all-time terrible MLB HR history for Blue Jays
• Astros' Yordan Alvarez has chance to join two MLB legends with very rare history