Anthony Rizzo, dealing with two fractured fingers on his glove hand, made a strong return for the New York Yankees, hitting a 105 MPH single in his first at-bat since the hit-by-pitch that caused him pain.
Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians marked a significant comeback for Rizzo, who has historically thrived in playoff situations. However, by the ninth inning, the story took a turn.
In the eighth, Rizzo dove for a ground ball from Brayan Rocchio, allowing it to slip past him, which almost led to a costly error for the Yankees. While Luke Weaver came in to save the day, Rizzo’s unusual fielding mistake had tightened the game unnecessarily.
In the ninth inning, he was replaced defensively, which seemed odd since many expected him to be a defensive asset after his unexpected roster addition earlier that week.
Questions arose about his condition: Was he feeling pain in his fingers again? Did he exacerbate an injury during a swing? Or did he land awkwardly on his glove hand while diving?
Manager Aaron Boone noted that Rizzo appeared “physically and emotionally spent.” Although his removal didn’t affect the game’s outcome, it raised concerns about his status. After the game, Rizzo claimed he felt no pain and echoed Boone’s optimism about being ready to play the following day.
Despite the worries, Rizzo demonstrated that he still has value, showcasing his hitting ability with that impressive line drive.
It’s possible he just needed a moment to regroup after the tense eighth inning, or Boone may have felt he did. Regardless, this uncertainty adds to the list of concerns surrounding Rizzo, who had previously seemed fine.
As October unfolds, a month where every veteran strives to excel, Rizzo is acutely aware of his situation, especially with the possibility of this being his final weeks as a Yankee.
He’s likely processing his ability to contribute to what could be a memorable playoff run. Fans are hoping that Game 2 will present a more consistent and solid performance from him.
