The Yankees announced that right-hander Gerrit Cole has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, a move that was reported earlier this week. To open a roster spot for him, first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been transferred onto the 60-day IL.
Rizzo was injured earlier this week when attempting to run out a ground ball. First baseman Dominic Smith fielded the grounder and flipped to pitcher Brennan Bernardino as he covered first base. Rizzo and Bernardino bumped into each other, which resulted in Rizzo falling to the ground and landing awkwardly. Video link of the play from MLB.com.
It was later reported that Rizzo was diagnosed with a fractured radial neck in his right arm. The club announced that Rizzo could be back in about eight weeks, as relayed by Brendan Kuty of The Athletic on X. That eight-week timeline and the 60-day stint on the injured list are roughly equivalent, so it’s not surprising that the Yankees decided to make this transfer.
Rizzo will now be ineligible to be reinstated until the middle of August, which will be interesting timing. The trade deadline is on July 30 this year, so the Yankees will have to make some decisions about what moves to make to address their lineup while Rizzo is still away from the club. A decent chunk of their hitters are performing well but Rizzo was struggling prior to his injury.
In his absence, DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice seem likely to share the first base duties, but LeMahieu is also having a poor season and Rice just made his major league debut yesterday. Players like Oswaldo Cabrera and Gleyber Torres have also been struggling, leaving the club with a fairly weak infield group around shortstop Anthony Volpe.
The Yankees have the best record in the majors at 51-24, so they can use the next few weeks to assess these players and decide on their deadline plan. Rizzo himself came to the Yankees in a 2021 deadline deal while Luke Voit was on the injured list.
Rizzo and the Yankees reunited on a free agent deal going into 2022, a two-year deal with an opt-out. He triggered that opt-out but re-signed with the Yanks again going into 2023, this time on a two-year, $40MM deal. Rizzo made $17MM last year and is doing so again this year, with a $6MM buyout on a $17MM club option for 2025, making it a net $11MM decision.
Prior to landing on the injured list, Rizzo was hitting just .223/.289/.341 for the year and won’t have much time to improve those numbers with this injury. His rehab progress and the performance of Rice will be interesting situations to watch in the months to come, as the club will have some decisions to make at the deadline and at the end of the season as well.
Well, I am sorry about Rizzo, but Rice looked good last night
Rizzo has played his last game in Pinstripes. When he’s healthy the Yankees will release him like Donaldson. DJ beware your playing days in NY could be over soon too
I completely agree with you.
I think the Yankees will release Rizzo.
I don’t think they will release DJ yet, his versatility in the field is too valuable in case of need.
Nah, they’ll give him a more dignified exit. He’s Judge’s friend; Donladson was not well liked. They may even end up needing him come August.
Yep. He sticks. Him and Judge are tight.
Well, that is a shame. I didn’t realize that Rizzo had been struggling
His stats the past two years were okay
Rizzo probably was heading to his best season in years through the first two months of 2023, slashing .304/.376/.505 at the end of May, until Tatis collided with him, leading to a concussion. He looked lost after that. He’s better this year, but still a fraction of himself as a player. Even has had trouble fielding. He once was a Platinum Glove winner. It wouldn’t shock me if he’s fully back to normal in 2025 as recovery from concussions are tricky, but he’ll also be 35. Not sure we’ll ever see Rizzo again at his best. He’ll get a shot somewhere though.
Mlbfan: Negative! He’s bff’s with Judge. Donaldson had no friends and no history of success with the team. I hope rice blows up but you’re assuming that. In 8 weeks fans might be begging for Rizzo to come back.
His tightness with Judge will have zero effect on his roster status. If NY is a better team come Aug 31st he’s off the roster. And if he survives that cutoff he’ll still need to s better asset than Jones, Berti, Dominguez and and Rice et. al. Which at this point he is not.
Not how it works Winfield. He might get marginalized if Rice goes nuts, but not cut in 24. The Yanks only jettison attitude problem vets mid year. He’s been a dead man walking regarding his 25 option all year but they won’t disrespect him. We’ve carried Jones for months and he’s useless, Rizzo can take that job and be a power threat off the bench.
His impact on the team clubhouse will have an impact. They also have control over this since they can simply leave him IL’d and then add him as a roster expansion come September. A straight out cut is not happening.
I agree it’s likely he’s allowed to play out the season but like rmullig2 said he won’t make the post season roster, unless he turns it around fast. A below average hitter and fielder who’s only position is 1b doesn’t make for an effective bench player. DJ and can be a poor hitter but at least gives you average+ def at multiple positions.
Berti & Jones?! Lol
@Dogleg62 both Berti and Jones have been more productive in their roles than Rizzo. If Rizzo isn’t anymore effective when he comes back then what use does he have on a playoff roster? Who’s he going to pinch hit for? Additionally, if they bring in a corner infielder then his fate is sealed short of a Matt Carpenter ’22 run.
Jones has no role bro. Berti was useful but has been hurt twice now.
And what role would Rizzo have off the bench if he’s still not hitting? Answer: none
Did you see Jones strike out the other night when they ran out of bodies? At a minimum I’d take Rizzo there. You also arr presuming Rice catches fire and no one gets (Stanton) gets hurt. They’re not dumping Rizzo this year.
You think Jones would be starting a playoff game or any important game? I already acknowledged that Rizzo is likely to remain on the team. Post-season is a different story.
No, they will just wait to activate him when the rosters expand. He’ll play a few games and be left off the post-season roster.
Rizzo might not play with the Yankees again this year, especially if they’re knee-deep in a championship run.
If so, he may not play for them ever again.
I think retirement after the season is very much on the table for Rizzo at this point. He’s almost 35 and aging like milk. He also looked mentally defeated at the plate over the last few weeks
So much for that four to six week recovery.
I can see them giving Rice a long look, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if they trade for a bigger bat at 1B. Rizzo’s injury, oddly, might have been a blessing since it means making a move there is now easier.
It’s almost certain that they’ll trade for a 1B regardless of how well Rice plays if DJL doesn’s start hitting. They’ll want someone with a track record to play in the playoffs against tougher pitching.
Enter Jose Abreu. At least on a Scranton contract. If he turns it around there and Rice begins to struggle: Bingo! Experienced bat, low cost because the Astros would be picking up the rest ( wouldn’t that be a “burn”, Yankees fans/Astros haters). Maybe he would find hat extra motivation to show everyone else up.
Just a thought……
A good thought — but Abreu played so poorly this year in Houston that he looked cooked.
Not great investment with a AAA contract and all of a sudden lightning in a bottle. Even at the big league level Houston’d be paying most of the bill.
Abreu’s bat speed is slower than a stationary snail. Abreu’s age has caught up with him. I doubt he plays baseball again, unless the White Sox sign him for a symbolic send – off to retirement as a way to get fannies in the seats.
OR this could be one Last? 2024 opportunity for Brandon Belt a LH bat and good defensively.
He would need at least 3 weeks AAA at bats to gear up.
Like Pete Alonzo.
Would have been a huge difference if they’d have signed Freeman instead of Rizzo.
Yeah they wouldn’t have the money for Soto. Very different.
Risky resigning Rizzo. Back then the issue was his back. By the way pretty sure that back thing is still a thing. A little expensive but that signing was extra insurance from keeping Judge from skipping over to San Fran. Those two are legit teammates!
Resigning Rizzo was not a mistake, it just didn’t work out due to seriously bad friggin luck.
He played well for the most part, and that concussion being misdiagnosed really screwed things up.
My initial thought is that they would release him, and I even posted as much above, I think he won’t get released, but there is 0 chance his option gets picked up, and Rice will have to have stunk up the place for him to be replaced by Rizzo after Rizzo gets back.
Personally, I think Rice will do better then Current Rizzo, and as such, he should get the playing time when Rizzo is back.
Why can’t Stanton play first?
He might pull a labia. In theory: you’re right; he should be able to play first.
My grandma could play first better.
Tell them how easy it is, Wash.
It’s incredibly hard
Bc he’s never played there before?
Bleacher: Agreed on Stanton and 1st. It is an actual position and just chucking anyone there is not how it works. Stanton is the last guy I’d put there, he could pull a groin just thinking about making a stretch for a catch.
Exactly. Stanton already trots around the bases as an injury precaution. No way he can stay healthy lunging at or scooping baseballs all the while doing it poorly.
As long as he’s better by the time the Yankees come to Wrigley!
After Labor Day
Pretty much means he’s done with the Yankees – as NY is 100% declining his option because they eventually need to free up 1B for Ben Rice as they need cheaper options to emerge, as Steinbrenner already said payroll is going down next season regardless of Soto resigning.
Just watched the replay. Rizzo should have been called out for running in fair territory. That’s commonly called cheating. He earned that injury. Idiot.
Oh, and the collision with Tatis was stupid as well, trying to block first base on a pickoff attempt. Honestly, the guy is a cheater. Play the game right. Good riddance.
Did you forget to take your meds again today?
He’s literally never done a single bad thing in his career. Nothing about his forearm fracture js considered cheating.
And no one deserves an injury no matter how you feel about them.
Running in fair territory is out of the baseline. That is cheating. It’s that simple. He should have been called out.
Kirilloff is available
Cashman favorite Miguel Andujar is hitting .300 in Oakland.
When was he originally put on the IL. Just curious since he would be making his Wrigley Field return Sept 6th-8th. I’m hoping he’s activated by then.
Steroids will cause bones to break
J.D Davis for the minimum win!
If Cashman can get Davis for the league minimum, he’s going to do it. The question is, would JD accept a utility role with the Yankees or wait for a starting 1b/3b gig on a lesser team with a need?
Too bad about Rizzo. . Not everybody get’s the Miggy treatment in Detroit
I’d go after Josh Bell if I was Cashman, he’s a decent first baseman, and also a lefty hitter with good power. In that lineup he’ll probably improve his output as well.
Rizzo is finished if rice is at least decent, bench cheerleader rest of the season , and his salary will go to the soto super contract offer, Yankees do look to have quite a few of productive low cost role players for next year