Yankees’ First Baseman, Anthony Rizzo Suffers Injury
In a recent turn of events, Anthony Rizzo, the Yankees’ first baseman, can’t be expected back on the field anytime soon. His prolonged absence follows a collision during Sunday’s game with Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino. As a consequence of the mishap, Rizzo suffered a significant injury, fracturing the radial neck of his right arm, reports The Athletic.
Injury Does Not Require Surgery
Although serious, the fateful incident doesn’t necessitate surgery for Rizzo. However, it’s predicted that he could be unable to play for the next four to six weeks. His collision with Bernardino occurred during the seventh inning after the latter fumbled a throw. The eventual hip crash had Rizzo landing on his arm and wincing in pain.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his apprehension, stating: “When he didn’t get up right away, I could tell he was in some pain”.
An Earlier X-Ray Revealed No Injury
The initial concern for Rizzo’s well-being seemed to dissipate when a low-grade X-ray on Sunday reported no injuries. Despite the initial optimism, Rizzo complained of persistent pain in his arm, prompting further examination which eventually discovered the fracture on Monday.
The Roster Gap Left by Rizzo
Rizzo’s sudden switch to the injured list leaves the Yankee’s roster in a quandary. DJ LeMahieu can cover as the first baseman, opening the field for Oswaldo Cabrera at the third. However, another possibility includes prospects from Triple-A like Ben Rice and T.J. Rumfield. While both are performing well, neither are currently on the Yankees’ 40-man roster.
Potential Roster Replacements
In light of LeMahieu’s flexibility in covering first base, Yankees may not need to rush a first baseman replacement. They have options like calling up Oswald Peraza or adding someone versatile like Kevin Smith to the 40-man roster. However, these options might not thrill fans as much as promoting Rice.
Trade Possibilities and Performance Concerns
The Yankees could also consider acquiring a new corner infielder by next month’s trade deadline. This suggestion was already under consideration before Rizzo’s injury, given the lackluster performance of Rizzo and LeMahieu. Both players have had a mediocre season at the plate, with Rizzo’s current average standing at .223/.289/.341.
In the recent past, Rizzo found himself benched for two games due to an unfavorable 1-for-29 slump. LeMahieu’s stats aren’t encouraging either, hitting .188/.304/.188 without any extra-base hits after recovering from a foot fracture.
A Deja Vu for Rizzo
Interestingly, this is not the first time Rizzo’s season has been cosigned to uncertainty due to a collision at first base. A similar occurrence last year saw the first baseman in collision with San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. Consequently, Rizzo was hit with post-concussion symptoms, unknowingly playing through them for two months. As a result, he had to stop playing in August.
Despite his previous health issues, Rizzo maintained his fitness this season, up until Sunday’s unfortunate incident. Now, only time will determine the extent of the damage and the length of his absence from the field. As the Yankees navigate through this setback, fans are hopeful for a speedy recovery for their favorite first baseman.