New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been identified with a fractured radial neck in his proper arm, report Ken Rosenthal, Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner of the Athletic.
The Athletic writes that Rizzo is not going to require surgical procedure however is more likely to miss round 4 to 6 weeks. Although the Yankees haven’t introduced the analysis, they’ll definitely place the primary baseman on the 10-day injured checklist earlier than Tuesday’s collection opener in opposition to the Orioles.
Rizzo was injured in Sunday night time’s loss to the Pink Sox. The veteran hit a sluggish grounder to Boston first baseman Dominic Smith. Smith flipped to pitcher Brennan Bernardino, who was protecting the bag, however Rizzo collided with Bernardino when Smith’s throw was behind him. Rizzo landed awkwardly on his proper hand and needed to come out of the sport.
Oswaldo Cabrera got here off the bench to play third base with D.J. LeMahieu kicking throughout the diamond. That’ll seemingly be the nook infield tandem for the following couple weeks. It’s not a terrific pairing for a workforce making an attempt to carry off the Orioles in what ought to be a particularly aggressive division race.
LeMahieu misplaced a very good chunk of the season himself. He fractured his proper foot in Spring Coaching and wasn’t in a position to make his season debut till Might 28. The 2-time batting champ hasn’t gotten right into a groove. He’s hitting .188 with no extra-base hits by way of his first 15 video games.
Whereas LeMahieu definitely received’t proceed to carry out that poorly, he has solely been a barely above-average hitter during the last three seasons. Between 2021-23, he hit .258/.345/.375 in practically 1800 journeys to the plate.
That’s not the extent of energy manufacturing sometimes related to the primary base place. In fact, Rizzo hadn’t offered a lot of an offensive affect this 12 months both. His .223/.289/.341 batting line over 291 plate appearances would simply be his worst tempo since his abbreviated rookie season greater than a decade in the past.
LeMahieu ought to be capable of prime that manufacturing, although the Yankees will now want to show again to Cabrera for a big position.
The switch-hitting Cabrera had a terrific first couple weeks earlier than falling into a serious hunch. He’s hitting .237/.275/.350 in 56 video games general. LeMahieu’s return had pushed him to a utility position, however he’ll step again into the beginning lineup in the intervening time.
The Yanks don’t have a lot in the way in which of skilled first base depth within the minors, however former Twelfth-round choose T.J. Rumfield is hitting .303/.358/.454 in 47 Triple-A contests. Jon Heyman of the New York Submit notes that catcher/first baseman Ben Rice — proprietor of a .275/.393/.532 slash in 60 video games between the highest two minor league ranges — might quickly hit his solution to the majors.
Infield assist may very well be a summer time precedence for GM Brian Cashman and his entrance workplace. Rizzo’s reported timeline leaves open the potential of a return earlier than the July 30 deadline, however he received’t have a lot time to exhibit he has turned a nook offensively.
The mix of LeMahieu, Cabrera and the at present injured Jon Berti haven’t offered a lot at third base, whereas Gleyber Torres is amidst a tough 12 months on the keystone.
There aren’t a ton of apparent commerce candidates on the infield, notably if the Rockies maintain Ryan McMahon. Extra alternatives might open up if groups drop out of the playoff image over the following month and a half.
