The Yankees is not going to carry Anthony Rizzo on their roster for the Division Sequence in opposition to the Royals, the primary baseman advised 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 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 during which Rizzo has struggled to make a big offensive affect. He hit solely .244/.328/.378 a 12 months in the past, largely as a result of he was apparently taking part in by means of post-concussion syndrome for 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 by means of his first 50 MLB video games, with nearly all of his constructive manufacturing concentrated in a single three-homer recreation in opposition to the Crimson Sox. Rice’s improbable numbers within the higher minors trace at a better offensive ceiling that he has but to point out in opposition to MLB pitching.
Rice will most likely once more be the selection at first base, not less than 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 almost 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 most likely gained’t give him a ton of taking part in time. LeMahieu had a dismal season (.204/.269/.259 in 67 video games) and gained’t have the posh of recreation reps to stand up to hurry. Cabrera is a light-hitting utility participant, whereas Davis was launched in August.
