Anthony Rizzo hadn’t played since August 31, and hadn’t batted since the day before that, so when he was activated off the injured list Sunday with his only “rehab” a live BP session against a rehabbing Scott Effross on Friday, it was curious how he would perform.
But after going 3-for-6 with a solo home run (going back-to-back with the first of Aaron Judge’s two dingers on the day), it’s safe to say the verdict is in that Rizzo didn’t miss much at all after nearly three weeks off.
“At this point, I’ve seen so many pitches and had so many at-bats I can visualize things,” Rizzo said after Sunday’s win. “My timing was pretty good off Effross, which is pretty good in a live BP this late in the year, so you come back and just take it one at-bat at a time.”
“I’m glad we didn’t do that in a rehab game,” manager Aaron Boone joked. “That was huge. It was good to see him up there being able to get his swing off. He looked like he was under control, and great to have him back in there. Really excited to have him back and glad it went well.”
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Rizzo had two singles in addition to the homer, and added both a left-handed bat the Yankees have been sorely lacking of late, and stability at a first base position that has seen three different players start and four play there since Rizzo last took the field – two of which are no longer on the active roster.
“A big left-handed presence there behind (Judge)…great to have him back, and excited he was able to get some immediate results,” Boone said.
Added Judge: “He looked incredible today, was taking pretty easy swings like we saw in the first half. Having that lefty to mix in between me and (Gleyber Torres) or (Giancarlo) Stanton, a guy who will work the count and get on base…he’s also a Platinum Glove at first base, and a big part of why we’re in first place.”
And even the schedule Gods smiled on Rizzo, as he has a day off after returning in a game that took 3:46, something both he and Boone joked about. But the important thing is that after three weeks off, and after having been compromised earlier in the season by the back issue, Rizzo feels 100 percent heading into the stretch run.
“It feels good, and I’m just happy to be back playing.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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