Big challenge: Yankees face difficult infield decision with return of veteran first baseman…
The New York Yankees might soon welcome their first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, back from injury. Rizzo is making good progress in his recovery from a fractured arm and mentioned to reporters that he could be participating in rehab games in the near future. This situation will force the team to make a tough decision about who should get the majority of playing time at first base.The New York Yankees might soon welcome their first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, back from injury. Rizzo is making good progress in his recovery from a fractured arm and mentioned to reporters that he could be participating in rehab games in the near future. This situation will force the team to make a tough decision about who should get the majority of playing time at first base.
According to The New York Post, Rizzo could start rehab games as early as next week if his upcoming arm scan shows the fracture has healed. Before his injury, Rizzo was struggling significantly at the plate, batting just .175 over his last 30 games and posting a .630 OPS for the season. He acknowledged that he needs to improve his performance when he returns.
“I have to come back and produce,” Rizzo told The New York Post. “It’s not like I’m returning with 25 homers, a lot of RBIs, and a solid average. I wasn’t playing at my best before I got hurt.”
Rizzo’s injury occurred during a period of significant struggles for him
. Since late May 2023, when he suffered a neck injury after a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. in a game against the San Diego Padres, Rizzo has been one of the worst-performing players in the league. Since June 1 of last year, he has only 88 hits, which ranks as the second-lowest among all first basemen with at least 450 plate appearances. During that same period, his wRC+ (66) is the second worst at his position, and his nine home runs are the fewest among all first basemen.