New York Yankees Lose Veteran Infielder to Brutal Injury; Postseason Status Unclear

The New York Yankees saw one of their veteran infielders suffer a brutal injury on Saturday.

Sep 28, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) reacts after being hit by a pitch during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Talk about poor timing.

With the postseason around the corner, New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo exited Saturday's penultimate game of the regular season after a hit by pitch.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Rizzo was plunked on the right-hand by an 88-mph slider from Pittsburgh Pirates lefty Ryan Borucki. The veteran infielder appeared to be in substantial pain, holding his hand and trying to walk it off.

Rizzo in a lot of pain after this hit by pitch but he stays in the game pic.twitter.com/65zONns19U

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 28, 2024

Although he was able to stay in the game to run the bases, the Yankees lifted Rizzo from action in the top of the eighth.

Following the Yankees' 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Rizzo suffered fractures to his fourth and fifth fingers on his right-hand.

While Boone didn't rule Rizzo out for the postseason, calling it a "pain tolerance thing," this certainly puts his status in major question.

With a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Yankees have one week until Game 1 of the ALDS. Even still, it would be difficult for Rizzo to be ready in time to play.

Losing the left-handed slugger would be a significant blow to the Yankees' roster heading into October. New York would either have to go with super utility man Oswaldo Cabrera or recall rookie Ben Rice to replace Rizzo. Boone revealed that the latter is an option.

Rizzo has had his fair share of struggles this season, and missed over two months with a right forearm fracture. That being said, the 35-year-old had been picking things up at the plate lately. In his last seven games, Rizzo was slashing .364/.500/.409 with a .909 OPS and two RBIs.

Rizzo has a $17 million club option ahead of the 2025 season, which includes a $6 million buyout. It does not seem likely that the Yankees will exercise his option, but they could still renegotiate on a new deal.