First base has been almost a black hole for the Yankees this season, with Ben Rice and DJ LeMahieu not providing much offensive output in place of Anthony Rizzo, who was struggling even before being sidelined with a broken forearm.
However, Rizzo finally appears close to returning from an injury that has sidelined him since mid-June.
Rizzo said Wednesday he could play his first rehab game as early as Friday or Sunday with Double-A Somerset.
Rizzo said he hasn’t had any discomfort in his arm for over a week and that he has regained strength in his right arm, so he will be limited to DH at first but will eventually return to first base.
“It feels good,” Rizzo said of his arm. “Obviously the CT scans don’t lie, but it feels good. … I’m just going to keep building it.”
Rizzo is confident the controlled environment of playing as a designated hitter in a rehab game will reduce the risk of aggravating the injury, and he’s ready for the challenge.
“I get paid to play,” Rizzo said after taking batting practice before Wednesday’s 8-1 win over Cleveland in the Bronx. “I miss playing. I want to get back and help this team.”
They need that, because the Yankees have had their worst season from first baseman.
With LeMahieu sidelined, Rice made his third start since Aug. 10 on Wednesday and his sixth career start against a left-handed pitcher, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
The once-hot Rice has just one hit in 23 at-bats, four walks and seven strikeouts in his last nine games.
Manager Aaron Boone said he sat LeMahieu out due in part to the length of Tuesday’s 12-inning loss, and he also acknowledged that LeMahieu is again in a slump, going just two for 19 at-bats.
And Tuesday was another tough night for LeMahieu, who hit a single down the center line but couldn’t score on an infield hit, turned into a double play and was out on a pop fly with a runner in scoring position.
LeMahieu was one of many players who were unavailable on Tuesday, but his struggles were more noticeable than anyone else on the team.
Alex Verdugo is another Yankee who is struggling.
He is hitless in his last 15 at-bats and has just two hits in his last 29 at-bats.
“He had a good first few months, but the last few months he’s been up and down,” Boone said before the game. “He’s a really good hitter. [and] “He’s young. I feel like he’s got a lot of potential. He’s just continuing to work hard.”
Right-hander Ian Hamilton (right lat strain) and infielder Jon Bertie (calf strain) are scheduled to begin rehab sessions with Double-A Somerset on Friday, along with Rizzo and Clark Schmidt.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (elbow) took part in batting practice again and said he feels ready to return once he is eligible to come off the disabled list.
