The New York Yankees may have to reconsider their early-season strategy at first base, with Anthony Rizzo‘s availability in doubt after suffering a hand injury. He sustained two fractured fingers on his right hand after being hit by a pitch on Saturday, casting uncertainty over his role in the upcoming American League Division Series.
In response, the Yankees recalled Ben Rice from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for Sunday’s regular-season finale against Pittsburgh, where Rice started at first base in a 6-4 victory.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed doubt about Rizzo’s ability to play in the ALDS, set to begin next Saturday. Boone said it’s “highly unlikely” the first baseman would be ready due to the severity of the injury, though the team stopped short of placing him on the injured list. Instead, they optioned reliever Scott Effross to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing the team to monitor Rizzo’s recovery over the next few days.
“We want to see these days unfold and, by the middle [or] end of the week, what he’s capable of doing to see if it’s even a possibility,” the Yankees manager said.
Rizzo acknowledged the frustrating timing of the injury, so close to the playoffs, and plans to undergo treatment this week. He emphasized that while he’s eager to play, he won’t risk hurting the team if he isn’t fully fit.
This setback follows Rizzo’s return from a fractured forearm earlier in the season, further complicating his availability for the playoffs.
But Rizzo, determined to return for the postseason, acknowledged the importance of October baseball, saying he is committed to doing everything possible to make a comeback for the playoffs.
“We’ll see how it goes and then be honest with the team,” he said. “I’m not gonna try to come and play if I can’t. I’ll definitely do my best. This is what you dream of, playing in October.”
What are Yankees options without Rizzo?
If Rizzo is unable to go, the Yankees may rely on Rice or Oswaldo Cabrera to fill the void at first base. However, Rice struggled in Sunday’s game, committing a throwing error to pitcher Ian Hamilton and going hitless with two strikeouts. The performance was part of a continued slump for Rice, who has only two hits in his last 35 at-bats with the Yankees.
Despite his recent struggles, Rice was performing well in Triple-A before finishing the minor league season at the team’s facility in Tampa. The Yankees will need to evaluate their options carefully as they prepare for the ALDS.
DJ LeMahieu’s return from a lingering hip impingement remains unclear, and even when healthy, his performance this season has been below expectations. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that while Trent Grisham and Jon Berti have been practicing at first base, the team is keeping an eye on Ben Rice’s progress in Triple-A and is confident in Oswaldo Cabrera’s versatility around the diamond.
With a week-long break ahead of the American League Division Series, Boone plans to explore all options for filling the gap left by Anthony Rizzo’s injury. Boone highlighted Rice’s inclusion in Sunday’s lineup, signaling that the 25-year-old could play a key role in the Yankees’ future plans.
Rice initially thrived when called up in June after Rizzo’s arm injury, but his production at the plate dipped as the season wore on. Despite his struggles, Boone praised Rice for handling the pressure well as a rookie thrown into a starting role with little experience at first base.
Whoever steps in for Rizzo will have big shoes to fill. Rizzo’s veteran leadership and defensive prowess have been crucial for the Yankees, and his replacements haven’t matched his consistency on defense. Offensively, Rizzo hasn’t been at his best, largely due to injuries over the past two seasons. Still, Boone noted that Rizzo had shown recent signs of improvement, collecting 10 hits in his last 26 at-bats, including two doubles.
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Well, when you stand there like a statue at the plate, right in top of the plate, never even attempting to get out of the way unless it’s at your head, this is the type of thing that happens. Caleb Durbin got hit on the hand this year, missed 2 months. Ben Cowles, got hit before he was traded, also on the hand, didn’t play the rest of the season. Judge missed, what 7 weeks in 2028 after getting hit on the wrist, but he took didn’t really try to get out of the way.