Boone’s cautious optimism over Anthony Rizzo raises eyebrows

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During a recent interview, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was about the possibility of a “hidden injury” contributing to Anthony Rizzo‘s current slump. Though the manager told that Rizzo was fine, his cautious optimism couldn’t rule out the negativity surrounding his recent form.

Boone was speaking on the ‘Talkin’ Yanks’ podcast, when co-host Jake Storiale questioned the Yankees manager Aaron Boone if Anthony Rizzo was carrying some injury from his game against the Padres and that was the reason behind his current slump.

The 50-year-old manager emphasized, “He is completely healthy, and there’s no doubt he will bounce back from this.”

However, he failed to shed light on the reason for the first baseman’s slump and only expected him to bounce back. The manager didn’t spell out why the player, who was one of the most reliable, is facing such a prolonged slump.

Anthony Rizzo’s declining form a concern for the Yankees

For a heartwarming tale in Major League Baseball, Anthony Rizzo is the perfect example. Overcoming cancer during his teenage years, he has risen to become one of the league’s top power hitters.

As a recent addition to the New York Yankees, Anthony Rizzo has enjoyed a notable tenure in the league, especially for a 33-year-old player. Despite being recognized as one of the league’s premier power hitters, the first baseman is currently facing one of the most challenging slumps of his career.

Over the past 30 games, Anthony Rizzo’s performance has been subpar, with a batting average of only .181 and a mere seven RBIs. This drought also marks the longest period in his 12-year career without hitting a home run.

As per Storiale’s observation, Anthony Rizzo’s performance has taken a significant hit since he suffered a neck injury while getting caught up at first base with Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres.

Even though he exited the game, Anthony Rizzo was not placed on the injured list and continued to be part of the lineup. Despite Rizzo’s average drastically dropping from .326 to .164 following the injury, Boone maintained that Rizzo was in good health.

Selected in the MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox, Anthony Rizzo entered the big leagues with the San Diego Padres in 2011. The following year, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he began to make a name for himself in the baseball world.

From 2014 to 2016, Anthony Rizzo recorded an impressive batting line of .285/.386/.528, slamming 95 home runs and driving in 288 RBIs. His exceptional performance during this period played a crucial role in the Chicago Cubs’ success, culminating in the team winning its first World Series title since 1908, with Anthony Rizzo as a key member of the core group.

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