The New York Yankees are assessing whether to include first baseman Anthony Rizzo on their roster for the upcoming American League Championship Series (ALCS). Rizzo missed the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Kansas City Royals due to fractures in two fingers, an injury he sustained after being hit by a pitch during the last series of the regular season.
In Rizzo’s absence during the ALDS, the Yankees employed a platoon system at first base. Oswaldo Cabrera played in Games 1 and 3, while Jon Berti filled in during Games 2 and 4.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided an update on Rizzo’s condition during a Zoom call with reporters Saturday afternoon. According to him, Rizzo is making progress, but the team is still considering their roster options. A final decision is expected to be revealed on Monday.
While the combination of Berti and Cabrera performed adequately in the ALDS, Rizzo’s potential return could significantly enhance the team’s offensive capabilities, particularly from the left side, if he can recapture his previous form.
This season has been challenging for Rizzo. He missed around two months earlier due to a fractured forearm and struggled offensively before that, finishing with a .224 batting average and a .630 OPS. However, after returning for the final 22 games of the regular season, Rizzo showed signs of improvement, posting a .247 average and a .345 on-base percentage over 84 plate appearances.
The Yankees’ decision regarding Rizzo’s inclusion in the ALCS roster will depend on his readiness and the team’s strategic considerations for the series ahead.
Yankees can bank on Berti and Cabrera at first base
The long-held belief that “anybody can play first base” has been consistently challenged by experts in the sport. Mark Teixeira, a former New York Yankee and five-time Gold Glove winner at first base, often countered this idea by noting that while anyone could fill the position, not everyone could do so effectively.
This perspective was highlighted in the film Moneyball, where Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane discussed the position with catcher Scott Hatteberg and infield coach Ron Washington. When Beane suggested first base was easy, Washington firmly disagreed, emphasizing the complexities involved.
The New York Yankees recently confronted this reality when Anthony Rizzo sustained two broken fingers on his right hand after being hit by a pitch just before the postseason. This injury left the team relying on two inexperienced utility players, Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti, to cover first base.
Both Cabrera and Berti started two games each during the Yankees’ four-game American League Division Series (ALDS) victory over the Kansas City Royals. They performed well, with Berti notably shining in Game 4. He initiated a crucial 3-3-6 double play on a hard-hit ground ball from Michael Massey, demonstrating the position’s challenges.
Berti acknowledged the difficulties of playing first base during a recent Zoom call, highlighting the need for positional awareness and the various responsibilities that come with the role.
“A lot more difficult than I think people realize. I told [Rizzo] that the other day,” he said on Saturday. “There’s just a lot to it, a lot of different positioning, a lot of different things around the bag that you have to be aware of and involved in at all times.”
Rizzo’s injury occurred on September 28, during the second-to-last game of the regular season. Although he aimed to prepare for the Division Series, discomfort prevented him from making the roster. Initial hopes for his return to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) have been tempered, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently expressed uncertainty about Rizzo’s status.
Boone reported that Rizzo is showing some signs of improvement, but his baseball activities remain limited. The focus is on healing the injury while undergoing various treatments. This situation underscores the specialized skills required to play first base at the major league level and the challenges teams face when dealing with unexpected injuries.
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