The New York Yankees have struggled with their first base position throughout the season, primarily due to the underperformance of Ben Rice and DJ LeMahieu, who have been filling in for Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo himself wasn’t hitting well before suffering a fractured right forearm, which has sidelined him since mid-June.
However, there is hope on the horizon as Rizzo is nearing a return, with plans to begin a rehab assignment soon. This could potentially provide the much-needed boost to the Yankees’ offense at first base.
Rizzo, speaking on Wednesday, expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that he hasn’t felt any discomfort in his injured arm for over a week and that the strength in his right arm has returned.
He is expected to initially serve as a designated hitter (DH) during his rehab games before eventually resuming his role at first base. Rizzo is eager to get back on the field, acknowledging that he misses playing and is determined to help his struggling team.
The Yankees’ issues at first base have been glaring, with the team receiving some of the worst production from this position in the league. DJ LeMahieu’s recent slump has been particularly troubling, as he is currently in a 2-for-19 funk and has struggled to deliver in crucial moments, such as during Tuesday’s 12-inning loss.
LeMahieu’s struggles have been compounded by Ben Rice’s poor performance, as he has gone just 1-for-23 with seven strikeouts in his last nine games.
In addition to Rizzo’s anticipated return, the Yankees are also expecting the return of other injured players. Right-hander Ian Hamilton and infielder Jon Berti are set to begin rehab assignments on Friday, along with Rizzo and pitcher Clarke Schmidt. Meanwhile, Jazz Chisholm Jr., who has been dealing with an elbow injury, is optimistic about his chances of returning to the lineup as soon as he is eligible to come off the injured list.
Finally, Alex Verdugo, another key player for the Yankees, has been mired in a slump, going hitless in his last 15 at-bats and managing just two hits in his last 29 at-bats. Manager Aaron Boone remains hopeful that Verdugo, who was a strong performer earlier in the season, will soon find his rhythm again. The Yankees are in dire need of these players to step up and contribute as they look to turn their season around.
