TAMPA — The Yankees are not just playing baseball but Whac-A-Mole less than a week before Opening Day.
The past two weeks have seen a steady influx of fresh ailments following a comparatively calm start to camp; Anthony Rizzo’s latest setback on Friday is reason for concern.
Regarding his left lat stiffness, which prompted him to be scratched from the Yankees’ 5-3 victory over the Mets at Steinbrenner Field, Rizzo did not truly seem concerned.
However, considering the Yankees’ prior history with these matters, it might be wise to hold off on making any firm declarations on the veteran first baseman’s status for a few days.
“To be honest, it’s just being wise,” Rizzo stated, adding that he had no plans to have any The Yankees need it not to be, especially since they are not very deep at first base. DJ LeMahieu would be the typical backup there, but he is dealing with an injury of his own—a significant bone bruise on his right foot from fouling a ball off it last Saturday. LeMahieu was able to take some batting practice indoors on Friday in a positive step, along with taking ground balls at third base, doing agility drills, and throwing. Nevertheless, manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that LeMahieu
Oswaldo Cabrera would be next up at first base, though the Yankees may need him to be next up at third base if LeMahieu is not ready to start the season on time.
On Friday, the Yankees had non-roster catcher/infielder Luis Torrens start at first base in Rizzo’s place.
“We’ll see what we got [on Rizzo],” Boone said. “He didn’t seem worried about it, but again, you gotta make sure we’re good tomorrow, the next day. See how it progresses. It sounds like something he’s had a lot in the past. Hopefully we’re good to go for Opening Day.”
The 34-year-old Rizzo, expected to be the Yankees’ cleanup hitter, is in the midst of a strong spring and has already piled up 41 plate appearances in 14 games coming off a season that was derailed by concussion issues.
Rizzo, who last played on Wednesday, said he began to feel something in his lat on Thursday before it cropped up again on Friday as he warmed up.
