Yankees' Anthony Rizzo replaced in the ninth, but anticipates starting ALCS Game 2

NEW YORK – Anthony Rizzo had insisted he was good to go, and ultimately claimed a spot on the Yankees’ AL Championship Series roster.

Despite being a little more than two weeks removed from suffering fractured fingers on his right hand, Rizzo felt good enough to start at first base for Monday night’s Game 1 against the Cleveland Guardians.

His evening (1-for-3, walk) started with a line single to center, but Rizzo finished on the bench – subbed out in the ninth inning of a 5-2 Yankees’ win at the Stadium.

Afterward, manager Aaron Boone said that Rizzo was fine and expected him back in Tuesday night’s Game 2 lineup, but “he was just kind of physically and emotionally spent there late in the game.’’

Rizzo didn’t dispute that take, saying Boone was “just playing it smart,’’ since the veteran lefty hitter hadn’t played in a game since Sept. 28, when he was hit by a pitch – fracturing his fourth and fifth fingers.

Rizzo said his injured hand felt “really good’’ both at the plate and in the field, and that his comeback wasn’t a big hurdle “because of how good I felt early in the game.

“Just the win is the most important thing,’’ said Rizzo, who was replaced by Oswaldo Cabrera in the ninth.

Boone felt that Rizzo looked “sharp, which was really good to see’’ after the injury layoff.

In removing Rizzo when he did, at the risk of weakening the Yanks’ infield defense, Boone “wanted to make sure I'm managing this properly with him as we go through this.

“He really hasn't been on the field in over two weeks, but came through good with the hand,’’ said Boone. “(I) expect him in there’’ for Game 2, and “I thought he had some really good at-bats.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' Anthony Rizzo replaced in the ninth, but anticipates starting ALCS Game 2