As the New York Yankees patiently await Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, they are hoping to get first baseman Anthony Rizzo on the roster.
After fracturing two of his fingers on a hit-by-pitch during the final series of the regular season, Rizzo was unable to play in the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, which wrapped up earlier this week.
With Rizzo out for the ALDS, the Yankees used a platoon at first base with Oswaldo Cabrera in Games 1 and 3, and Jon Berti in Games 2 and 4.
Anthony Rizzo injury update
In speaking with reporters over Zoom on Saturday afternoon, manager Aaron Boone said that Rizzo is making some progress. However, they are still waiting to make a decision on how to construct the roster.
Boone said that decision would likely come on Monday.
Berti and Cabrera did well enough that the Yankees could get by with another platoon, but Rizzo has the higher ceiling from the left side of the plate if he can catch fire.
Rizzo missed roughly two months with a fractured forearm earlier in the season. He was struggling before that with a .224 batting average and .630 OPS.
When Rizzo return for the final 22 games of the regular season, he looked better at the plate, posting a .247 batting average and .345 on-base percentage in 84 plate appearances.
