The Yankees is not going to carry Anthony Rizzo on their roster for the Division Sequence in opposition to the Royals, the primary baseman instructed 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 stated he was hopeful of being obtainable for the AL Championship Sequence if the Yankees get previous Kansas Metropolis.
This has been a irritating yr for Rizzo, who missed a pair months through the summer time with a damaged proper arm. He hasn’t carried out properly 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 by which Rizzo has struggled to make a major offensive impression. He hit solely .244/.328/.378 a yr in the past, largely as a result of he was apparently taking part in via post-concussion syndrome for a great portion of the season.
Whereas Rizzo hasn’t performed at wherever 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 Purple Sox. Rice’s incredible numbers within the higher minors trace at a better offensive ceiling that he has but to indicate in opposition to MLB pitching.
Rice will most likely once more be the selection at first base, at the least 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 brief aspect of a platoon with Rice, has been on the injured checklist for practically a month due to a hip impingement.
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com tweeted this night that LeMahieu was taking batting observe and hopes to be on the ALDS roster. Even when he does make it again, the Yanks most likely 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 luxurious of sport reps to stand up to hurry. Cabrera is a light-hitting utility participant, whereas Davis was launched in August.