Anthony Rizzo Returns to Yankees Lineup After Finger Fractures \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Anthony Rizzo returned to the Yankees’ lineup for the AL Championship Series opener against Cleveland, just 16 days after fracturing two fingers. The veteran first baseman, batting seventh, missed the Division Series but has committed to playing through the pain. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Rizzo’s readiness, and Cleveland made their own roster adjustments, adding Pedro Avila to bolster their bullpen.
Anthony Rizzo’s Comeback for Yankees: Quick Looks
- Anthony Rizzo returned to the Yankees’ lineup for Game 1 of the ALCS, 16 days after fracturing two fingers.
- He missed the Division Series against Kansas City but decided to play through the pain for the ALCS.
- Rizzo is batting seventh and playing first base, bringing his playoff experience as a World Series champion and All-Star.
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone is confident in Rizzo’s readiness and trusts his defensive abilities.
- Rizzo acknowledged the urgency of postseason play, noting that playoff opportunities can’t be taken for granted.
- The Yankees made additional roster moves, adding Marcus Stroman and removing Ben Rice and Duke Ellis.
- Cleveland also made changes, adding pitcher Pedro Avila while dropping outfielder Angel Martínez.
Deep Look
In a remarkable comeback just 16 days after suffering two fractured fingers, Anthony Rizzo returned to the New York Yankees’ lineup for the highly anticipated American League Championship Series (ALCS) opener against the Cleveland Guardians. His presence in the lineup, batting seventh and playing first base, is a significant boost for the Yankees, who are eyeing their first World Series appearance since 2009. Despite the injury and missed time, Rizzo decided to push through the pain, understanding the gravity of postseason baseball and the importance of his contribution to the team.
Rizzo’s injury occurred on September 28 when he was hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ryan Borucki. The ball struck his right hand, fracturing the fourth and fifth fingers. This setback forced him to miss the Yankees’ Division Series matchup against Kansas City. However, as soon as the Yankees advanced to the ALCS, Rizzo made it clear that he was ready to return. “It’s just pain,” Rizzo said, brushing off concerns about playing with the injury. “It’s temporary, and the 50,000 people in the stands and the adrenaline and what’s at stake is going to outweigh any pain I’ll be feeling.”
Anthony Rizzo, a three-time All-Star and a cornerstone of the Chicago Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series win, knows all too well the pressures and demands of postseason baseball. At 35 years old, Rizzo has become a seasoned veteran with ample playoff experience, having played in multiple postseason series across his career. His return to the Yankees’ lineup is not just about his physical presence; it’s about the leadership and grit that he brings, qualities that have been crucial in high-stakes situations like this.
The 2023 season has been a challenging one for Rizzo, marked by injuries that limited his playing time. He appeared in just 92 games, posting a .228 batting average with eight home runs and 35 RBIs. Earlier in the season, Rizzo suffered a fractured right forearm in a collision with Boston Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino on June 16, an injury that sidelined him for 62 games. After returning to action on September 1, Rizzo showed signs of regaining his form, hitting .380 (8-for-21) in his first few games back before his latest setback in late September.
While Rizzo hasn’t faced live pitching since his injury, he has been preparing by hitting off machines. Yankees manager Aaron Boone is confident that Rizzo is ready, pointing to his defensive prowess and playoff experience as key factors in the decision to bring him back for the ALCS. “Yesterday with me, he was pretty adamant. He goes, ‘I’m ready,’” Boone said. “He’s looked good in the field, like no issues. The trainers feel like he’s at a good spot.”
When asked if he would have played if this were the regular season, Rizzo didn’t directly answer but instead emphasized the unique stakes of the postseason. “This is Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, so the hypothetical there isn’t there,” he explained. “I don’t know what that answer would be.” His determination to contribute in the ALCS highlights the urgency he feels at this stage of his career. “I’ve had opportunity throughout my career to play a good amount of postseason baseball, and this is what you play for,” Rizzo said. “The clock is only ticking on my age and getting older. You just never know when you’re going to have an opportunity to play for a pennant again, ever again. You can’t take any of this for granted.”
Rizzo’s leadership extends beyond his play on the field. During the Division Series against Kansas City, Rizzo remained engaged from the bench, offering advice to his replacements, Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera, who each started two games at first base in his absence. While his guidance was helpful, Rizzo admitted that watching from the dugout was more stressful than playing. “To be on the bench, it’s more stressful than playing,” he said. “It’s really hard to control your emotions on the bench than it is when you play.”
The Yankees also made additional roster adjustments heading into the ALCS. Right-hander Marcus Stroman, who posted a 10-9 record with a 4.31 ERA in his first season with New York, was added to the roster. Stroman was left off the Division Series roster but will now bolster the Yankees’ pitching staff. However, he struggled toward the end of the season, going 0-3 with an 8.80 ERA in September. First baseman Ben Rice and speedy outfielder Duke Ellis were removed from the roster. Ellis had made one pinch-running appearance in the Division Series, while Rice didn’t appear in any games.
On the other side, the Cleveland Guardians made their own roster adjustments ahead of the ALCS. The Guardians added right-hander Pedro Avila, a key bullpen piece who posted a 3.25 ERA over 50 relief appearances in the regular season. Avila was brought in to strengthen a Cleveland bullpen that had logged 25 2/3 innings during the five-game Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. Cleveland dropped outfielder Angel Martínez, who had only one pinch-hitting appearance in Game 3 of the Division Series.
Cleveland’s pitching staff remains without their ace, left-hander Ben Lively, who had a strong 2023 season with a 13-10 record. Despite being their winningest pitcher, Lively remains off the ALCS roster, a notable absence as Cleveland looks to counter the Yankees’ powerful lineup.
Meanwhile, the Yankees received encouraging news regarding left-hander Nestor Cortes, who has been sidelined since September 18 with a strained left elbow flexor. Cortes threw his first bullpen session on Sunday and is scheduled to throw another on Wednesday. If he continues to progress, Boone suggested that Cortes could throw batting practice by the weekend and possibly be available if the Yankees advance further in the playoffs.
With Anthony Rizzo back in action, the Yankees hope to gain an edge over Cleveland in the ALCS. Rizzo’s experience and leadership, combined with the Yankees’ roster adjustments, could be the difference-maker as they aim for another World Series appearance. For Rizzo, this postseason represents another opportunity to chase a championship, one he refuses to take for granted.
