"Divisional Round Matt Carpenter is about to go crazy" "We need that man asap" - New York Yankees fans elated as there is a chance Matt Carpenter will play in the postseason

Earlier today, an update was provided on Matt Carpenter's injury. According to Bryan Hoch, Carpenter could be back for the first round of this year's playoffs if everything goes well. This would be huge for the Yankees, as his bat could greatly help them.

The New York Yankees star has missed the majority of the second half of the season due to a foot fracture during a game on August 9. When Carpenter was up to the plate, he fouled the ball straight into his foot, causing the fracture.

Prior to this injury, Carpenter was having an outstanding season as a utility player for the Yankees. Through 47 games, he put up a slash line of .305/.412/.727, totaling up to a whopping 1.138 OPS. He also had 15 home runs and 37 RBIs in this short span.

What makes this all the more insane is that prior to signing a deal with the Yankees midway through the season, Carpenter was considering retirement. Carpenter spent his previous two seasons hitting below .200 for the St. Louis Cardinals and was considering hanging up his boots.

However, the Yankees signed him after posting a near 1.000 OPS during the first month of the season for the Texas Rangers Triple-A team. On an already stacked team offensively, Matt Carpenter provided a much-needed boost to the bench.

New acquisition Andrew Benintendi was also included in the injury update. Beinintendi has been out for over a week due to injury, and could return to the Yanks as soon as the second round.

Although the New York Yankees are still most likely a playoff team, their second-half performance has been lackluster.

The New York Yankees have been terrible without Matt Carpenter in the second half

Tampa Bay Rays v New York Yankees

Matt Carpenter is not the sole reason behind the Yankees' recent struggles. However, he definitely did play a part as his bat was valuable to the team. Since the All-Star break, the New York Yankees have not looked the same at all.

It was once a forgone conclusion that the Yankees would win the American League East. Now, however, they are just 6.5 games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays, and could soon lose their lead at the top. The Yankees need to get hot during this final stretch of games and take it into the postseason