Yankees Face Potential Setback as Rizzo Suffers Hand and Wrist Injury

The Yankees face a potential setback heading into their upcoming match against the Orioles, as first baseman Anthony Rizzo sustained injuries to his right hand and wrist during a collision in Sunday evening's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Rizzo reached base due to an error by Dominic Smith, but collided with pitcher Brennan Bernardino in the seventh inning, causing him to fall awkwardly beyond the bag. The impact visibly affected Rizzo, who remained on the ground for some time before being replaced by pinch-runner Oswaldo Cabrera.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed concern, noting, "When he didn't get up right away, I could tell he was in some pain."

Initial tests, including a fluoroscope at the ballpark, showed no significant damage. However, Rizzo is scheduled for further evaluation by the Yankees' medical team on Monday in New York, where additional imaging will be conducted.

"It's unusual to see Rizz in that kind of discomfort," commented team captain Aaron Judge. "He's usually tough when it comes to handling pain, especially with his history of taking hits in games."

Rizzo has faced challenges over the past year, particularly since his 2023 season was disrupted by a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres last May at Yankee Stadium. Following that incident, Rizzo struggled with his batting performance and was eventually sidelined due to post-concussion syndrome.

Despite indicating recovery from concussion-related issues, Rizzo's offensive statistics have fluctuated throughout this year. His recent performance in June has been particularly tough, highlighted by a hitless game on Sunday, leaving him with a meager 5-for-48 (.104) record for the month, including one double, one home run, and three RBIs.

"Recently, he was swinging the bat well and came up with some crucial hits," Judge remarked. "Losing him is a blow, but his health comes first."

If Rizzo is placed on the injured list, the Yankees may adjust their lineup strategy, potentially giving DJ LeMahieu more playing time at first base and Cabrera additional opportunities at third base, as seen in Sunday's game.

Additionally, the team is considering options from their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, where promising talents like catcher/first baseman Ben Rice and T.J. Rumfield have shown strong performances. Rice, recently promoted from Double-A Somerset, boasts a .333 batting average with three home runs and 10 RBIs in Triple-A. Rumfield has also been impressive, maintaining a .303/.358/.454 slash line with five homers and 32 RBIs in 47 games.

The Yankees will carefully assess their choices as they prepare for the challenges ahead in Rizzo's potential absence from the lineup.

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