The New York Yankees have been missing their first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, since mid-June. He suffered a forearm discomfort the last time he appeared in the big league. Since then, the NY side has been using rookie Ben Rice and the veteran DJ LeMahieu at first base. However, the Bronx Bombers are still not happy with their first base numbers this season. So far, that position has been a black hole for the 27-time World Series champions. Neither DJ nor Rice has managed to provide enough offense for the Yankees while they filled in for Anthony Rizzo.
Even the veteran Rizzo had been struggling this season with his hitting average since the start of the 2024 campaign. Then, the veteran first baseman suffered a fractured right forearm that just added to his misery. Lately, the Pinstripes have been depending too much on their two power-hitting superstars – Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Other sluggers like Rice, DJ, Alex Verdugo, and so on have been struggling with their hitting average. They need other hitters to contribute as well. Even Rizzo expressed his desire to return soon to help the team.
How Soon Anthony Rizzo Can Play In His First Rehab Game?
The veteran first baseman is approaching a return from the forearm injury that kept him out for two months already. According to the New York Post, Anthony Rizzo mentioned on Wednesday that he could soon play in his first rehab game. He believes either on Friday or Sunday, he can play for the Double-A Somerset. Moreover, the veteran first baseman added that he has not felt any discomfort in the forearm over the last week. Also, he feels the strength in the right arm has come back. Whenever Rizzo returns to the lineup, he will start as a DH at first. Then, at some point, he will return to his original position at first base.
Moreover, Rizzo said that his right arm feels good but the CT scan is not going to lie. However, that “Feels good” is a good sign which he will need to continue to build. Anthony Rizzo believes the chances of aggravating the injury in the rehab games is low as he will play a DH role. He feels pretty good to give it a shot. Moreover, the first baseman said that the Yankees pay him to play and in the past two months, he has really missed playing. Finally, Dan Martin of The Post quoted Rizzo saying, “I want to return to the lineup to help this team.”
Yankees Dealing With Worst Production At First Base
Lately, DJ LeMahieu was out of the lineup. Hence, on Wednesday, Ben Rice got his 3rd start since August 10 and sixth overall against an LHP. He went 0 for 4 with a couple of strikeouts. Rice, the once-hot prospect, has been 1 for 23 over the last nine games, with four and fanning seven times. Moreover, DJ LeMahieu also has been struggling, as per Aaron Boone, saying, “He went 2 for 19, hasn’t hitting well again.”
That’s why the manager kept DJ out of the Guardians series-opener despite the game going to the 12th inning. Rizzo was not in a great form even before his forearm injury, and the DJ-Rice options are not working too well. Then, Alex Verdugo is another Yankees slugger who’s in a hitting slump. Hence, there are still a lot of concerns for the NY side, with only a little more than 30 games remaining in the regular season.
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