The New York Yankees’ postseason hopes took a huge blow as first baseman Anthony Rizzo suffered a disfiguring arm injury during the team’s 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rizzo fractured two fingers on his right hand after being struck by an 88 mph slider from Ryan Borucki in the seventh inning. The injury leaves manager Aaron Boone in a tough spot as the playoffs loom.
Rizzo, a $22 million veteran, initially tried to stay in the game but was unable to return to the field for the eighth inning. His status for the postseason remains uncertain, with Boone stating it will depend on Rizzo’s pain tolerance in the coming days.
This injury compounds a difficult season for Rizzo, who had already missed over two months following a fractured forearm sustained in a June collision against the Boston Red Sox. His offensive performance has been well below his career averages, posting a career-low .228 batting average, eight home runs, and a .335 slugging percentage. Despite these struggles, Rizzo remains a key defensive asset for the Yankees.
The Yankees are now scrambling to fill the void left by Rizzo’s absence. Potential replacements for the postseason include Ben Rice, a catcher-turned-first baseman, and utility player Oswaldo Cabrera. Rice, who had a strong debut earlier in the season, slumped before being optioned back to Triple-A but has since rebounded with impressive numbers. Cabrera, with limited first-base experience, could also see playing time.
Boone noted that Rizzo’s availability will be based on his ability to tolerate pain, emphasizing that the injury won’t worsen with play. However, the uncertainty surrounding Rizzo’s condition has left the Yankees’ postseason plans hanging in the balance.
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