Rizzo or Rice (or Both) at First Base?
The New York Yankees will soon have to make a key roster decision as veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo gets closer to returning from a fractured right forearm. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic writes the main question: Will Rizzo reclaim his starting job, or will rookie sensation Ben Rice keep getting playing time?
Rizzo Making Progress
Rizzo, who suffered the injury on June 16, is making significant strides in his recovery:
- Taking full batting practice indoors against high-speed pitching machines
- Faced rehabbing starter Clarke Schmidt in live BP at Yankee Stadium
- Feeling “no pain” in his forearm after dealing with it recently
- Targeting a return “in the next few weeks” with a possible rehab assignment before that
The Case for Rizzo
As a 14-year MLB veteran and World Series champion, Rizzo brings invaluable experience and leadership to a Yankees team with championship aspirations. When healthy, he’s a productive left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup.
However, Rizzo struggled mightily before the injury, hitting just .223 with a .630 OPS in 70 games. He also had a rough finish to 2023, batting .172 after returning from a concussion.
The Case for Rice
Called up in early July, the 25-year-old Rice made an immediate impact, hitting .294 with 4 home runs and a .972 OPS in his first 17 games. The converted catcher has also been a “pleasant surprise” defensively at an unfamiliar position.
Rice has cooled off considerably though, batting just .130 with a .536 OPS in his last 20 contests before Wednesday. Still, his 100 OPS+ is league average production compared to Rizzo’s well below-average 77 mark.
Other Options
The Yankees could ease Rizzo back in a platoon with Rice or righty-hitting DJ LeMahieu, who’s also slumped badly in 2024. There may also be room for both lefty bats when rosters expand in September. Releasing Rizzo, who’s owed a lot of money, seems unlikely.
For now, manager Aaron Boone is taking a wait-and-see approach as Rizzo gets closer. “Right now, it’s kind of those two guys (Rice and LeMahieu) sharing that position,” Boone said. “But then (Rizzo) is getting closer to being part of that mix.”
The Yankees don’t have to decide yet, but the looming question will be if they value Rizzo’s veteran presence over Rice’s upside and promising debut. How Rizzo looks and performs when he returns will likely be the determining factor.
To read Brendan Kuty full analysis, follow him on The Athletic
