It's been a year to forget for New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo. After missing a sizable chunk of last season with a concussion, the All-Star slugger desired a bounce-back campaign with the Bronx Bombers. It's safe to say at this point of the year that things have not exactly gone to plan.
The infielder struggled at the beginning of the year. Despite a short hot stretch, Rizzo looked like a shell of himself at the plate, and on defense. Things went from bad to worse for Rizzo as he suffered a broken arm during a collision with Boston Red Sox pitcher Brennan Bernardino in June.
"Brutal collision. Hope Anthony Rizzo is ok after exiting the game" - @StoolBaseball
On Wednesday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided insight into Rizzo's recovery. He also addressed the ongoing questions surrounding the team's future at first base. Rizzo has already begun participating in live batting practice, which has extended the Yankees' window to address the situation at first.
"Aaron Boone said that the #Yankees are "at least a few weeks off" from having to make a decision at 1B with Anthony Rizzo now taking like at-bats. Boone added Rizzo "is getting closer to being part of that mix" at 1B" - @GaryHPhillips
Anthony Rizzo could face some stiff competition at first base
Although Rizzo could return to the New York Yankees lineup, there is no guarantee he will resume being the club's everyday first baseman. Given his struggles at the plate and questionable defensive plays earlier this season, the four-time Gold Glove Award winner may need to earn his playing time.
In his absence, Aaron Boone has been using several different players at first base, including DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice at first base. Luckily for Rizzo, neither LeMahieu nor Rice has been tearing it up at the plate. So it could come down to which player is the least detrimental to the lineup.