The Yankees won’t carry Anthony Rizzo on their roster for the Division Sequence in opposition to the Royals, the primary baseman informed reporters (X hyperlink by way of Chris Kirschner of the Athletic). Rizzo broke two fingers on his proper hand when he was hit by a pitch late within the common season. The veteran mentioned he was hopeful of being obtainable for the AL Championship Sequence if the Yankees get previous Kansas Metropolis.
This has been a irritating 12 months for Rizzo, who missed a pair months in the course of the summer season with a damaged proper arm. He hasn’t carried out effectively even when wholesome, hitting .228/.301/.335 over 375 plate appearances. These are his worst numbers since his 2011 rookie marketing campaign. It’s the second straight season through which Rizzo has struggled to make a big offensive impression. He hit solely .244/.328/.378 a 12 months in the past, largely as a result of he was apparently taking part in via post-concussion syndrome for a very good portion of the season.
Whereas Rizzo hasn’t performed at anyplace close to his peak stage, he’s nonetheless an improve on New York’s different choices at first base. Rookie Ben Rice primarily dealt with the job whereas Rizzo was out with the arm fracture. The 25-year-old has hit .171/.264/.349 via his first 50 MLB video games, with virtually all of his optimistic manufacturing concentrated in a single three-homer sport in opposition to the Crimson Sox. Rice’s implausible numbers within the higher minors trace at a better offensive ceiling that he has but to indicate in opposition to MLB pitching.
Rice will in all probability once more be the selection at first base, a minimum of in opposition to right-handed pitching. The one different gamers to take any at-bats at first base this season are DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and J.D. Davis. LeMahieu, who labored within the quick aspect of a platoon with Rice, has been on the injured listing for practically a month due to a hip impingement.
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com tweeted this night that LeMahieu was taking batting follow and hopes to be on the ALDS roster. Even when he does make it again, the Yanks in all probability received’t give him a ton of taking part in time. LeMahieu had a dismal season (.204/.269/.259 in 67 video games) and received’t have the posh of sport reps to rise up to hurry. Cabrera is a light-hitting utility participant, whereas Davis was launched in August.
