New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s availability for the postseason is in question after he fractured the fourth and fifth fingers on his right hand from being hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh’s Ryan Borucki in the seventh inning of Saturday’s 9-4 defeat.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated it’s too early to determine if Rizzo will be fit to play in the AL Division Series opener on October 5. “We’ll assess his situation as the week progresses.
It doesn’t completely rule him out,” Boone explained. “It’s a matter of pain tolerance, so we’ll see how things develop in the coming days.”
Rizzo was struck on the underside of his hand by Borucki’s slider, marking the 222nd time he’s been hit by a pitch in his career.
Despite showing signs of discomfort, he remained in the game after being evaluated by head athletic trainer Tim Lentych. Following the Yankees’ turn at bat in the seventh, Oswaldo Cabrera took over at first base while Anthony Volpe moved to shortstop.
Earlier this season, Rizzo missed 62 games due to a fractured right forearm sustained during a collision with Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino on June 16.
He has a batting average of .228 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 92 games this season, including a .380 average (8 for 21) since returning from the injured list on September 1.
Potential replacements for Rizzo include Oswaldo Cabrera and rookie Ben Rice, who batted .175 with seven homers and 23 RBIs during Rizzo’s absence. Boone did not mention DJ LeMahieu, who has been sidelined since September 3 with a right hip issue.
This injury adds to the Yankees’ difficulties in the final week of the regular season, as left-hander Nestor Cortes also landed on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his pitching elbow. However, both he and the team remain hopeful for his return during the postseason.
