New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo exited Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox early following an awkward collision while running the bases.
During the seventh inning of the 9-3 defeat, Rizzo hit a ground ball and sprinted towards first base. Upon reaching the bag, he collided with Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino and fell awkwardly on his right wrist, immediately grabbing it as he rolled into the grass.
Anthony Rizzo left the game after this collision at first base. pic.twitter.com/ee4gurvVFR
— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2024
Although Bernardino dropped the toss just before the collision, allowing Rizzo to be safe, Rizzo was promptly removed from the game. Oswaldo Cabrera came in as a pinch-runner.
Rizzo is scheduled for further tests on Monday. The severity and duration of his injury remain uncertain.
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
“We’ll see,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “The initial imaging was negative, but he’s experiencing pain in several areas of his lower arm. He’ll undergo extensive tests tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury.”
Rizzo, 34, has a .223 batting average with eight home runs and 28 RBIs this season, his third full year with the Yankees. Sunday’s injury echoed a similar incident from last year when he collided with Fernando Tatis Jr. at first base, resulting in post-concussion syndrome that ended his season prematurely.
Despite the Yankees trailing by only one run when Rizzo left, the Red Sox surged ahead for a six-run victory at Fenway Park, aided by Connor Wong’s two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh. Boston recorded nine stolen bases, the highest in a single game this season and the most the Yankees have allowed since 1915.
The Yankees, having lost three of their last four games, hold a 50-24 record and lead the AL East. They will begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
