Anthony Rizzo Returns To The New York Yankees Lineup

The New York Yankees will add a veteran bat to their lineup before Sunday’s game.

Anthony Rizzo was activated from the injured list and will play first base in the team’s series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. He had been out since June 16 after suffering a fractured forearm in the Bronx Bombers’ 9-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The first baseman is one of a few Yankees players expected to return from injury in September.

Related: New York Yankees Fall Behind Early, Lose By 1 In Saturday’s Loss To The St. Louis Cardinals

Rizzo is in the middle of one of the worst seasons of his career. The 14-year veteran has eight home runs and 28 runs batted in in 70 games played. He is batting .223 and his .630 OPS is his lowest single-season mark since his rookie year in 2011.

Ben Rice and DJ LeMahieu have been the primary fill-ins at first base during Rizzo’s absence. Both players have struggled to provide consistent production to the Yankees’ lineup. LeMahieu has been a .202 hitter in 62 games this season. Rice batted .174 in 149 at-bats since being called up to the big leagues. He was sent down to the minors on Saturday.

Related: St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Kyle Gibson Creates History In Saturday’s Game At Yankee Stadium

The Yankees also called up Ron Marinaccio, Scott Effross, and Duke Ellis on Sunday as the MLB roster expands to incorporate 28 players. The team designated Josh Maciejewski for assignment as well.

Rizzo has a $17 million team option with a $6 million buy-out for the 2025 season.

Rizzo is batting seventh in his return to the Bronx Bombers’ lineup in the rubber game of the three-game series with the Cardinals on Sunday.

Related: Previewing The New York Yankees’ Series Against The St. Louis Cardinals

Casey Fahrer is a recent graduate from Syracuse University and a contributor to Inside The Pinstripes. He can be reached at caseyfahrer716@gmail.com.

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