Anthony Rizzo returned to the Yankees lineup on Sunday after missing more than two months with a fractured right forearm, expressing optimism that he can make an impact late in the innings.
The first baseman hit two balls with force, including an RBI double the other way in the bottom of the fifth inning of a miserable 14-7 loss to St. Louis in the Bronx.
Rizzo also made a great play in the second inning on a bunt by Victor Scott, getting to the ball quickly and making a strong throw to third base for a force out.
“I felt good,” Rizzo said. “I definitely felt comfortable at the plate.”
Aaron Boone was impressed with both sides of Rizzo's game.
“The bunt play to get the leadoff runner out was really good,” Boone said.
But that was just one game, as Rizzo struggled not only through the final 46 games of last season, but for much of the first two-plus months of the season.
When he was sidelined with a broken arm on June 16, Rizzo's OPS was just .630.
And last season, despite suffering neck and head injuries in a collision at first base in San Diego, Rizzo posted a .496 OPS.
He said before the game that he believes he can get back to the strength he had before his head injury in 2023.
“That's the mentality all the time,” Rizzo said. “When things aren't going your way, it's easy to dwell on the negative if you want to, but it's about getting back on the right track. You don't have to run away. As a baseball player, these things happen. Hopefully today we can get back on the right track.”
The Yankees are hoping he can add depth to their lineup after seeing DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice struggle in his absence.
Boone knows the only way to know is to watch him play over the next few weeks.
“We'll see,” Boone said before the game, “I think there's still room for him to shine. I feel like he's coming in here with a lot of confidence. He's got a great track record, a track record as a rich guy, especially at this time of year.”
