Anthony Rizzo’s Difficult Season Continues After Broken Arm Diagnosis

2024 has not been Anthony Rizzo’s year.

As the New York Yankees soared to the best record in the AL, the 1B bottomed out. Manager Aaron Boone brought him in and out of the lineup, trying to spark the former Chicago Cub.

Now, he will not be in the order for at least a month.

During the series finale loss to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, Rizzo ran hard to first base and collided with Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino, covering the bag. The ESPN broadcast caught Rizzo falling hard on his wrist as he writhed in pain. Two days later, Boone announced he would be put on the injured list and not participate in baseball activity for four to five weeks.

Rizzo, 35, is on the hook for $17 million this season and $17 million in 2025.

General Manager Brian Cashman faces a difficult decision with what he wants to do at the trade deadline with the veteran left-hander. Rizzo’s timeline lines up with a return sometime around July 31.

However, even with Rizzo returning, the Yankees may need more from the 1B spot. Before the injury, the 1B hit just .223 with 8 HRs and a .630 OPS, a concerning sight from a batter that exploded for 32 round-trippers in 2022.

Along with Rizzo going down, the American East-leading Yanks have begun to slump. The pinstripes are 5-5 in their last ten games and lost back-to-back series to the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, who sit just 0.5 games behind first place in the division.

However, the Bronx Bombers received positive injury news with the return of ace Gerrit Cole on Wednesday as he made his season debut. The former Cy Young winner went 4.0 IP while allowing two earned runs in five strikeouts on 62 pitches in a no-decision.

The Yankees were the first team to have 50 wins in the MLB and led the AL with a 51-26 record.