Anthony Rizzo continues to power through the pain of playing with two broken fingers on his right hand as he and the New York Yankees gear up for the World Series. Despite the injury, Rizzo has been a crucial part of the team’s lineup, with the swelling in his fingers being a constant challenge.
“The biggest thing is just getting the swelling down between games,” Rizzo said before the Yankees headed to Los Angeles. “The bones are still broken, but reducing the swelling has been key. Hopefully, throughout the series, we’ll manage it as best we can.”
Anthony Rizzo pushes through pain with two broken fingers
Anthony Rizzo, 37, is no stranger to the intensity of October baseball. He’s playing in his second World Series, with his first being a memorable one in 2016 when he helped the Chicago Cubs end a 108-year championship drought. This time, he’s hoping to bring the Yankees their first title since 2009.
In the ALCS, Rizzo’s contributions were invaluable despite the broken fingers. He hit .429 (6-for-14) during the series, the highest average by a Yankee in the ALCS since Alex Rodriguez in 2009. His performance at the plate, along with clutch moments from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, helped New York break a 15-year absence from the Fall Classic.
Benefiting from extra recovery time
The days off between the ALCS and World Series have been beneficial for Anthony Rizzo’s recovery. “The rest is huge,” he said. “The bones are still healing, but the swelling has been the toughest part. We’ve had some good medicine to help manage it.”
Teammates like rookie catcher Austin Wells have been in awe of Anthony Rizzo’s toughness. “It’s incredible,” Wells said. “To play with two broken fingers and still perform at that level—it shows his character and determination.”
Anthony Rizzo’s experience is a valuable asset for the Yankees, who have several younger players experiencing the postseason for the first time. Teammates often ask him about his 2016 World Series run with the Cubs. “That was one of the best World Series ever,” Rizzo said, “and now we’re in another that could be just as special.”
The matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers adds an extra layer of excitement for Anthony Rizzo, who will be facing off against his good friend Freddie Freeman, who is battling his own injury—a lingering ankle issue. “Freddie’s a gamer,” Rizzo said. “He’s putting it all on the line for his team. It’ll be fun to share the field with him on this stage.”
As the Yankees prepare for Game 1, Anthony Rizzo’s focus is on helping his team win, regardless of the pain. “This is what you dream of,” he said. “When everything is loud and chaotic, that’s when I feel the most settled. These moments don’t come around often, and I’m ready for it.”
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