Now something’s wrong with Yankees’ Neil Walker

by Felix Pantaleón

Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained why he didn’t use Neil Walker, who hit two home runs Thursday, in a 12-7 loss to the Rangers on Friday.

NEW YORK — The Yankees‘ list of walking wounded has grown again.

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Add Neil Walker, who is dealing with neck issues and sickness, according to manager Aaron Boone.

Boone revealed the news following a 12-5 loss to the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Friday. Walker had hit two home runs — one from each side of the plate — in a victory the previous night.

Boone had been asked why he didn’t use Walker to pinch hit for first baseman Luke Voit late in the game.

“Walk ended up not really being available, a little emergency situation tonight with kind of a neck and illness,” the manager said. “Unless it got close late and there was an emergency spot, that kind of thing, and Voit throughout his career has kinda hit both (right-handed and left-handed pitchers).”

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Boone elaborated.

“He just came up with a tweak of the neck and wasn’t feeling good before the game,” Boone said. “So he was kind of an emergency situation only.”

“I got to check on him, but he started not feeling well kind of right before the game.”

When asked if he expected Walker to play Saturday, Boone said, “Hope so.”

The Yankees are without sluggers Aaron Judge (fractured wrist), Gary Sanchez (right groin strain) and Clint Frazier (post-concussion symptoms).

They’re also missing pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga (right shoulder inflammation) and Domingo German (biceps). Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery) isn’t expected to pitch in the majors again until 2020 and Jacoby Ellsbury (torn hip labrum) just had season-ending surgery.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.