With uncertainty surrounding Anthony Rizzo’s health heading into the postseason after he fractured two fingers on his right hand on Saturday, the Yankees recalled Ben Rice from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for Sunday’s regular season finale in The Bronx and started the rookie at first base.
To make room on the roster for Rice, Scott Effross was optioned to SWB.
Sending Effross down gave the Yankees more time to decide whether Rizzo will need an IL stint, which would prevent the veteran first baseman from being eligible for the ALDS, which starts Saturday.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Aaron Boone said Rizzo “could be” headed to the IL after he was drilled by a pitch in Saturday’s loss to Pittsburgh.
It’s the latest setback for Rizzo, who missed a significant part of the season with a fractured right forearm before returning early this month.
If Rizzo is unable to play in the first round of the playoffs, the Yankees could turn to Rice or Oswaldo Cabrera to fill in at first.
DJ LeMahieu is still working his way back from a hip impingement and has slumped for almost the entire year, even when healthy.
Boone also noted that Trent Grisham and Jon Berti have taken grounders at first, but the manager said they liked how Rice hit after he was sent back to Triple-A and that they were comfortable with playing Cabrera anywhere on the diamond.
As for Rice, Boone said it was “important to get him in there [Sunday].”
“He could be playing a big role for us,” the manager added. “He’s had stretches, even with us this year, where obviously it’s been really good. He’s had some struggles. But, overall, it’s been an outstanding year for Ben Rice.”