Highly Conflicting As Yankees Face Difficult Infield Decision With Return Of Veteran First Baseman
The New York Yankees might soon welcome back their first baseman, as Anthony Rizzo is recovering well from a fractured arm. He informed reporters that he could be participating in rehab games shortly. This development will prompt the team to make a tough choice about who should get the majority of the playing time at that position.
Yankees: Anthony Rizzo could be returning very soon
The New York Post reports that Rizzo might start playing in rehab games as early as next week if his upcoming arm scan shows the fracture has healed. Before his injury, he struggled significantly at the plate, batting .175 over his last 30 games and posting a .630 OPS for the season. He admitted that he needs to step up his performance once he returns.
“I’ve got to come back and produce,” Rizzo said, according to The New York Post. “I’m not returning after hitting 25 homers with a ton of RBIs and a strong average. I wasn’t playing at my best before I got hurt.”
Rizzo’s injury came at a time of massive struggles for him
Since late May 2023, following a neck injury from 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 season, he has recorded only 88 hits, ranking second lowest among all first basemen with at least 450 plate appearances. During this time, his wRC+ of 66 is also the second worst at his position, and his nine home runs are the fewest among all first basemen.
While Rizzo has been out, rookie Ben Rice has had a chance to prove himself as a potential future first baseman. After an impressive start that included a three-homer game against the Boston Red Sox, he has struggled recently, batting just .136 with a 30.9% strikeout rate over his last 20 games. A stint in the minor leagues might be beneficial for this left-handed hitting first baseman, as he has now faced big-league pitching and can make the necessary adjustments to improve his consistency.
Rizzo might be the frontrunner to start at first base when he returns
Despite Rizzo’s difficulties this season, he may reclaim his starting position as soon as he returns, especially given Rice’s own struggles. DJ LeMahieu has recently improved his performance but has had an overall tough season. If LeMahieu was allowed time to regain his form, Rizzo should receive the same consideration.
Moreover, Rizzo’s veteran experience and leadership in the clubhouse are crucial for the team, particularly with the Yankees engaged in a tight division race against the Baltimore Orioles, with just over 40 games remaining.
If Rizzo can get back on track at the plate, it would be a significant boost for the Yankees, as their infield has underperformed throughout the season. His return by the end of the month and into September could ignite a turnaround if he regains his previous form.