NEW YORK — Just over two weeks after fracturing two fingers on his right hand, Anthony Rizzo made his return to the Yankees lineup in Monday’s 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the ALCS. Although his night started strong, it ended with some uncertainty, as manager Aaron Boone replaced him with Oswaldo Cabrera at first base in the top of the ninth inning.
Rizzo insisted his hand felt fine, but Boone explained the decision, saying, “He was just physically and emotionally spent” after playing his first game since the injury. The Yankees will monitor how Rizzo’s hand responds before deciding if he’ll be back in the lineup for Game 2.
Despite the long layoff, the 35-year-old Rizzo made an immediate impact. In his first at-bat, he laced a single to center field and later drew a walk in the Yankees’ three-run second inning. On defense, he looked solid until the eighth, when a grounder from Cleveland’s Brayan Rocchio got past him, eventually leading to a Guardians run. However, reliever Luke Weaver came in to shut the door, preserving the win.
Before the game, Rizzo admitted there would be some pain but said he was ready to push through it. “The adrenaline and the stakes will outweigh any pain I’ll feel,” he said confidently. Boone echoed that optimism afterward: “I thought he looked sharp, which was great to see.”
The Yankees had navigated their ALDS win over Kansas City without Rizzo, relying on Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti at first base. But they opted to activate Rizzo for the ALCS despite him not facing live pitching during rehab. Instead, he prepared by hitting off high-velocity pitching machines and using the Trajekt device, which simulates major league pitches.
Boone said it was Rizzo’s conviction—and the trainers’ confidence—that convinced the team to give him the nod. Rizzo initially broke his fingers on September 28 after being hit by a pitch, an injury that usually requires three to four weeks to heal. Though he avoided the injured list, he wasn’t fit enough for the ALDS.
By Sunday, however, Rizzo was “adamant” he was ready. To manage any lingering pain, he wore a specially padded brace inside his glove during Monday’s game.
Rizzo’s season has been marked by injuries. After missing two and a half months with a fractured forearm earlier this year, he struggled upon his return, posting a .660 OPS with no home runs in his first 22 games. But he started to heat up in the final eight games of the regular season, putting up a .962 OPS. With limited time to regain that form now, the Yankees are banking on more than just his bat.
Beyond his offense, the team values Rizzo’s veteran leadership and postseason experience. One of only two Yankees with a World Series ring (alongside Juan Soto), Rizzo understands what it takes to win at this stage. With a $17 million team option or a $6 million buyout looming for next season, he’s determined to make the most of this opportunity.
“This is what you play for,” Rizzo said. “I’ve been lucky to play a lot of postseason baseball, but you never know when you’ll get another shot at a pennant. You can’t take any of this for granted.”
Having won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016, Rizzo knows how rare these moments can be. For him, the clock is ticking—but he’s ready to give it everything he has.
— Additional reporting by Greg Joyce
