The Yankees will not have Anthony Rizzo available for their roster in the Division Series against the Royals, the first baseman confirmed to reporters.
Although it was almost certain he would be left off the postseason roster, there was still some hope that he might be included. However, on Friday, Rizzo shut down this possibility, stating he won’t be on the roster
Anthony Rizzo sustained two broken fingers on his right hand after being hit by a pitch late in the regular season. Despite his current condition, Rizzo remains hopeful that he could be ready for the AL Championship Series, should the Yankees advance past Kansas City.
A frustrating season for Anthony Rizzo
This season has been particularly tough for Anthony Rizzo. He missed several months during the summer due to a broken right arm, which significantly hindered his performance.
Even during his healthy stretches, Anthony Rizzo has struggled, batting .228/.301/.335 across 375 plate appearances—the lowest numbers of his career since his rookie season in 2011. It’s also the second consecutive year in which Rizzo’s offensive output has been underwhelming. Last year, he managed only a .244/.328/.378 line, largely attributed to his playing through post-concussion syndrome for much of the season.
Ben Rice likely to take on first base duties
Rookie Ben Rice filled in for Rizzo during his absence, including his most recent call-up earlier this week. The NY Post previously reported that Rizzo’s return was a long shot, providing an opportunity for Ben Rice. Through his first 50 MLB games, Rice hit just .171/.264/.349, with much of his offensive contribution concentrated in one standout three-homer game against the Red Sox. His impressive numbers in the upper minors suggest a higher offensive ceiling, but so far, he hasn’t quite found his footing at the major league level
With Rizzo out, it seems likely that Ben Rice will continue to handle the majority of duties at first base, particularly against right-handed pitching. Other players who have taken turns at first base this season include DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and J.D. Davis. LeMahieu, who previously shared duties with Rice, has been sidelined for nearly a month due to a hip impingement.
DJ LeMahieu’s possible return
On the other hand, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported that DJ LeMahieu was seen taking batting practice recently, with hopes of being included in the ALDS roster. However, even if he does return, it’s unlikely he will be given significant playing time, considering his struggles this season.
LeMahieu batted a mere .204/.269/.259 over 67 games and has not had the chance to regain his rhythm. Cabrera, meanwhile, offers versatility but lacks the offensive firepower needed for the first base position, and J.D. Davis was released by the Yankees back in August.
Despite some uncertainty surrounding who will play left field, during Friday’s batting practice, Alex Verdugo swatted a deep fly ball to left field off Will Warren, which fans have taken as a sign that Verdugo may have an advantage in the competition.
All things considered, the Yankees are heading into the Division Series with significant uncertainty at first base, with Rice and possibly LeMahieu trying to step in. This instability highlights Anthony Rizzo’s value, even in a down year, and leaves the team in a challenging spot for the series against Kansas City.
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