Sep 28, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) reacts after being hit by a pitch during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo suffered a broken finger on his right hand during Saturday’s 9-4 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.
Rizzo was hit on the hand by Ryan Borucki in the seventh inning. He was examined by a physical trainer and remained in the game until he was replaced on defense in the top of the eighth.
New York manager Aaron Boone was awaiting Rizzo’s availability for the team’s first postseason series, which would begin on October 5.
“We’ll see what we have as the week goes on,” Boone said after the game. “We’re not completely ruling it out. It’s a matter of pain tolerance.”
Rizzo, 35, returned to the Yankees on September 1 after being sidelined for two and a half months with a broken right forearm.
Rizzo is hitting .228 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 92 games this season. He was a three-time All-Star with the Chicago Cubs earlier in his career. Rizzo has 303 career home runs in 14 seasons.
Boone agreed that it would be a big loss if Rizzo was sidelined for an extended period.
“There’s no question. He’s back and he’s done a great job for us,” Boone said. “Obviously, it helps us shore up our defense and I think it’s given us some good at-bats at the bottom of the order.”
Boone said Oswaldo Cabrera and rookie Ben Rice are candidates to play first base while Rizzo is out.
–Field level media
