The New York Yankees roster is performing to the best of his ability momentarily, barring a couple of non-performing hitters in the bottom of the lineup. However, stakes will level up once the season nears postseason in September. Hence, the Yanks will need all their troops available and healthy.
On Friday, the New York Yankees reinstated Jazz Chisholm Jr from 10-day IL following recovery from elbow UCL injury. Moreover, if all things fall per the plan, the Bronx Bombers could welcome a veteran first baseman and quality starting pitcher as the duo recently noticed substantial gains in respective rehab assignment minor league games.
Anthony Rizzo Hits Rehab Assignment With September Timeline
Anthony Rizzo, the New York Yankees’ veteran first baseman, has been sidelined due to an arm fracture, which stemmed from a collision with a Boston Red Sox reliever back in May. Moreover, Rizzo had been struggling at the plate for weeks before the diagnosis, leading to concerns about his health and long-term impact on the team. However, the first baseman was determined to return before the season enters playoffs and grinned hard behind the scene is extensive rehabilitation program. Meanwhile, after several live BP sessions, Rizzo was handed over a rehab assignment with the Double-A minor league team this week. He made his maiden appearance after an 8-week layoff as DH in Friday’s Somerset Patriots game and went 0-for-1 with a pair of walks and a run scored.
Anthony Rizzo appeared in great touch, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone was satisfied with his progress. He mentioned earlier how the first baseman’s strength was intact despite a long injury layoff. The only thing pushing him back was the fracture. The latest scans still suggest some unhealed parts, and hence, the Yanks opted for a cautious approach. “He feels really good, so I think he’s really encouraged,” Boone said. That being said, Rizzo is required to play four rehab games as DH before eventually getting some playing time on the field. Once that stage is achieved, the Yanks will open a return window for Rizzo in September of the first week. He could be made available for the road trip to Texas and Chicago in early September. Until then, Ben Rice will continue to serve as first-choice first baseman as DJ LeMahieu contacted an injury during practice on Friday.
Yankees Clarke Schmidt Pitches Decent Rehab Start In Double-A
Besides Anthony Rizzo, the New York Yankees also placed starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt for a rehab assignment on Friday. He pitched a 3.2 innings start with Double-A Somerset Patriots and one home run on a solo hit before striking out 6 batters across 48 pitches. Schmidt felt good throughout the start and expects to be back on the mound on Wednesday.
“Really happy to feel healthy and stuff was really good tonight, so definitely a big step,” Schmidt said. Even for Clarke Schmidt, the timeline is the same. After a couple of more starts, if he feels good, the pitcher should be reinstated by early September. Notably, with Luis Gil on IL due to a lower back sprain, the Yankees are a starter short on the five-man rotation.
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