New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo exited Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox early due to an awkward collision while running the bases.
In the seventh inning of the 9-3 defeat, Rizzo hit a grounder and sprinted towards first base. Upon reaching the base, he collided with Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino and awkwardly landed on his right wrist, which he immediately clutched in pain. Although Bernardino dropped the ball just before the collision, making Rizzo safe, Rizzo was quickly substituted by pinch-runner Oswaldo Cabrera.
Rizzo is scheduled for further tests on Monday to assess the extent of his injury and his potential recovery time remains uncertain.
Anthony Rizzo left the game after this collision at first base. pic.twitter.com/ee4gurvVFR
— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2024
“We’ll see,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented. “The initial imaging was negative, but he’s experiencing pain in several areas of his lower arm. He will undergo extensive tests tomorrow to determine the exact nature of the injury.”
Rizzo, 34, who is in his third full season with the Yankees, has a .223 batting average, eight home runs, and 28 RBIs this season. The incident is reminiscent of a previous injury he sustained last year during a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr., which resulted in post-concussion syndrome and ended his season prematurely.
Anthony Rizzo exited the game in the 7th inning.
Aaron Boone provides more updates on the Yankees first baseman. pic.twitter.com/HY101vCOLc
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 17, 2024
After Rizzo’s departure, the Yankees, who were trailing by just one run, saw the Red Sox surge ahead to secure a six-run victory at Fenway Park, highlighted by Connor Wong’s two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh. Boston stole nine bases during the game, the most in a single game this season and the highest number the Yankees have conceded since 1915.
The Yankees, having lost three of their last four games, hold a 50-24 record and lead the AL East. They will start a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.