The New York Yankees were hit with a massive injury scare last weekend after Anthony Rizzo suffered an arm injury following a collision with a Red Sox defender at first base. Rizzo rolled three times on the ground, and as he landed on his hands, his arm took a beating.
Anthony Rizzo was immediately taken off the field and went through imaging. Upon additional testing in New York, the New York Yankees learnt that Rizzo had fractured his arm. Hence, as the first baseman is headed to a prolonged IL stint, the team has called up a hot prospect from the minor league as an immediate backup.
Yankees Promote Ben Rice To Major League Roster As Anthony Rizzo Replacement
Anthony Rizzo, the New York Yankees veteran first baseman, is headed to 4-6 weeks of IL stint after fracturing his arm on Sunday. Moreover, with limited infield depth, the Bronx Bombers have decided to seek help from minor-league prospects. Joel Sherman of the NY Post reported earlier that the Yanks are recalling first base/catching prospect Ben Rice from Triple-A minor league as immediate reinforcement for Rizzo. Ben Rice, a promising talent in the Yanks’ farm system, has impressed at various minor league levels with his consistent performance and versatility. This year particularly has been exceptional for Rice. In Double-A and Triple-A combined, Rice hit .275 with 15 homers, 36 RBIs and a .925 OPS.
The no.15 prospect is primarily a catcher. But he has a unique ability to play first base as well. Hence, flexibility is a unique advantage that adds to Rice’s hype. Moreover, his promotion to the major league roster is a testament to his hard work and the potential the Yankees see in him. That being said, it remains to be seen how the Yanks incorporate him into the big leagues. With utility player Oswaldo Cabrera on the bench, it seems likely that he will play third base, with DJ LeMahieu moving for first base in place of Rizzo. Overall, manager Aaron Boone has a lot of combinations available at his helm. It’s important for him to make an informed decision based on the available reinforcement’s offensive numbers, as facing the Baltimore Orioles at home won’t be a cakewalk. The three-game series will ultimately decide who gets to lead the AL-East momentarily.
Gerrit Cole To Make Season Debut Vs Orioles
In a major boost to the New York Yankees ahead of the Orioles series at home, ace Gerrit Cole is set to be reinstated from IL and rejoin the rotation for the series. As per manager Aaron Boone, Cole will make his season debut on Wednesday. Notably, Cole is coming off a three-game rehab assignment in minor leagues.
In his latest outing for Triple-A, Gerrit Cole struck out 10 hitters whilst allowing one unearned run and no walks. Boone had said that the Yankees will come up with a decision in 48 hours and they have collective agreed to end Cole’s rehab assignment and reinstate him from IL effective immediately. Its a much needed boost to Yanks in the halfway stage of the tournament.
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