Just when you thought the New York Yankees’ season could not get worse, it did. First baseman Anthony Rizzo has been shut down for the remainder of the season to “address his brain health,” per the New York Post.
Rizzo has been out of the lineup since Aug. 1 after dealing with concussion-like symptoms despite passing the MLB’s concussion protocol and not initially feeling symptoms of a concussion.
Given that the Yankees are out of the playoff hunt at this point, Rizzo and the team want to make sure he has all the time he needs to recover before next season. Head injuries are complex and impact every individual differently, so it is great to see the Yankees taking precautionary measures.
The Yankees currently have a 69-69 record, trailing the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles by 18 games in the race for the divisional crown. They’re also 7.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the third and final Wild Card spot in the American League.
A three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Rizzo’s absence has certainly been felt in the Yankees clubhouse. Through 99 games in 2023, he had a .244 batting average to go along with 12 home runs and 41 runs batted in.
Officially a situation to monitor until further notice, it remains to be seen when/if Rizzo will be cleared to play, but his 2023 campaign has officially come to an end.
