Anthony Rizzo returns, displays promise to fulfill Yankees expectations

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Anthony Rizzo returned to the Yankees’ lineup on Sunday after missing more than two months with a fractured right forearm, adding a silver lining to an otherwise rough 14-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium. Despite the defeat, Rizzo’s presence offered a glimpse of what he could bring to the Yankees in the closing weeks of the season.

Anthony Rizzo made solid contact at the plate, highlighted by an opposite-field RBI double in the fifth inning. On defense, he looked sharp, particularly when he fielded a bunt by Victor Scott in the second inning and fired a quick throw to third base for a force-out.

Reflecting on his first game back, he expressed satisfaction, noting he felt comfortable at the plate. “I felt good,’’ the first baseman said. “I definitely felt comfortable in the batter’s box.”

Manager Aaron Boone praised Anthony Rizzo’s all-around game, highlighting his defensive awareness on the bunt play, “I really liked the play on the bunt to get the lead runner.’’

However, Anthony Rizzo’s performance must be viewed in the context of his recent struggles. Before his injury on June 16, his offensive output had dipped, posting just a .630 OPS. This slump traced back to 2023 when he managed a .496 OPS over his final 46 games following a neck and head injury from a collision at first base in San Diego.

Anthony Rizzo hopeful of rebounding to pre-2024 form

Despite these hurdles, Anthony Rizzo is hopeful about finding his rhythm again, aiming to recapture the form he showed prior to his head injury. He acknowledged the ups and downs of his recent journey but expressed optimism that Sunday’s game could signal a turning point.

“That’s the mentality, always,” he said. “Whenever things aren’t going well, it’s easy to look at the negative if you want, but it’s getting back to getting right. There’s no shying away from it. As a baseball player, this is what you go through. Hopefully today I’ll get on the right track.”

The Yankees are counting on Anthony Rizzo’s bat to help stabilize their lineup, especially with DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice struggling in his absence. Boone remains cautiously hopeful about Rizzo’s return, citing his proven track record and knack for delivering in crucial moments.

However, Boone tempered expectations, emphasizing that Anthony Rizzo’s impact will only be clear with consistent playing time in the weeks ahead. The Yankees are eager to see him back at his best, but they are also mindful of the challenges that come with returning from a lengthy injury layoff.

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