Anthony Rizzo Back on Yankees ALCS Roster

Anthony Rizzo missed the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals after getting drilled on the hand by a pitch in the final regular season series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The New York Yankees first baseman needed a bit more time to recover and now Rizzo is back on the ALCS roster, but it doesn’t mean he’s playing pain-free against the Cleveland Guardians.

Here’s the hit by pitch that happened on Sept. 28, when Pirates lefty Ryan Borucki broke two of Rizzo’s fingers on his right hand.

MLB: Rizzo broke two fingers. Yankees 1B suffered HBP vs Pirates; may still play in postseason pic.twitter.com/tXlkHyq1Fk

— Alain Keith Cabardo Daguio (@keithdaguio) September 29, 2024

It’s been a little more than two weeks since that incident and while Rizzo feels capable enough to play he’s going to be doing it with two broken fingers.

Anthony Rizzo on playing with two fractured fingers: “It's just pain. It's temporary, and the 50,000 people in the stands and the adrenaline and what's at stake is going to outweigh any pain I'll be feeling.”

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 14, 2024

Rizzo ended the 2024 regular season with a total of 375 plate appearances, missing time with a forearm fracture from June into September. The left-handed hitter posted the worst numbers of his career since his rookie campaign this season, recording an 84 wRC+, slashing .228/.301/.335.

Regardless, how can you not admire Rizzo’s gutsiness.

Two fractured fingers, 16 days ago. Can’t question Anthony Rizzo’s toughness. He looked fine in defensive drills yesterday, what can he provide with the bat? https://t.co/ADUYmBq9Al

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 14, 2024

There’s no doubt Rizzo has always been a player who wants to be out there every day. I still remember the 2019 season, when Rizzo suffered a severe ankle sprain, missed a series, but then returned to the Cubs’ starting lineup in time for a crucial four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

HOLY CRAP Rizzo just shared on IG the state of his ankle injury as of the day he returned to action. This is absurd. pic.twitter.com/1C6ibhVeaX

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 26, 2019

Rizzo ended up homering in that game for the Cubs when he very-much could have been on the injured list. But he showed up when the Cubs were still fighting for a playoff spot.

However, Yankees fans don’t seem to care very much about how tough Rizzo is right now because there’s been a lot of criticism coming from that fan base ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Guardians in regards to Rizzo being on the ALCS roster.

Rizzo is penciled into the Yankees starting lineup, batting eighth.

This is an absolute failure of process by the Yankees.

Anthony Rizzo is not a good baseball player. He wasn’t good when he was healthy. He’s certainly not going to be good coming back early from an injury.

There are better alternatives available. I am confounded by this… https://t.co/slpgq98AZx

— Rational Yankees Fan (@rational_yankee) October 14, 2024

Anthony Rizzo is the only player on the Yankees to have a slower sprint speed than Giancarlo Stanton.

Oswaldo Cabrera posted a 107 wRC+ against RHP this season. I would love Rizzo as a late-game sub but starting him would kill your offense in a situation where they're rallying.

— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) October 14, 2024

Meanwhile, another former Cubs player is also back on the Yankees ALCS roster, as Marcus Stroman was added to the 26-player list after being left off the ALDS roster.

Anthony Rizzo and Marcus Stroman are back on the roster! pic.twitter.com/j90sDpbS6Z

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 14, 2024

Can Rizzo prove his haters wrong? We’ll see as the ALCS begins Monday night at Yankee Stadium.