Anthony Rizzo, the New York Yankees veteran first baseman, made it to the AL Championship Series after missing the AL Division Series due to a fractured finger injury. He got injured just days ahead of October, and the team missed his services at first base in the ALDS against the Royals.
Having said that, even as Anthony Rizzo made himself available for the ALCS, he appeared visibly uncomfortable and had his fingers strapped all the time. Meanwhile, ahead of the World Series against the LA Dodgers, the Yankees infielder shared an update on his injury and also his mindset to compete on the biggest stage.
Anthony Rizzo Yet To Fully Recover From Finger Injury
Anthony Rizzo’s toughness and determination are on full display as the New York Yankees prepare for Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Playing through immense pain, Rizzo is battling two broken fingers, an injury he sustained late in the regular season. While sidelined for the Division Series, Rizzo made a heroic return in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, where he put on an incredible performance despite the pain. Meanwhile, the veteran first baseman has been honest about the challenges of playing with the injury. Speaking to reporters ahead of the World Series, Rizzo explained how the time between series has helped his recovery. “The biggest thing is getting the swelling out,” he said.
Although the bones remain broken, reducing the swelling has been crucial in managing the pain. Moreover, Anthony Rizzo acknowledged that it would be a battle, but he’s determined to contribute however he can. Having said that, despite the injury, Rizzo was unstoppable in the ALCS, hitting .429 (6-for-14). Besides, Rizzo’s postseason experience is invaluable to the Yankees. He played a pivotal role in the Chicago Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series win, ending their 108-year championship drought. Now, he is hoping to bring that same success to New York, a team that has not won a World Series since 2009. “This is what you dream of. When the crowd is loud and everything is going crazy, I feel like that’s when I settle down the most,” Rizzo added. Overall, his determination to push through the pain highlights his unwavering commitment to bringing a championship back to New York.
Yankees Skipper Rule Out Nestor Cortes Return As Starter
Aaron Boone, the New York Yankees manager, has expressed concerns about Nestor Cortes’ ability to pitch deep into games during the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers. Boone believes the left-hander isn’t fully built up to handle the workload of pitching 3-4 innings in the Fall Classic.
This comes after Nestor Cortes pitched a bullpen session which is a crucial step in his recovery from elbow strain. The pitcher revealed that he has gauged the risks of rushing his recovery and willing to risk his arm since World Series is important. However, Boone’s comments suggest that even if Cortes is fit enough to return, he will be placed in the Yankees bullpen depth.
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