The New York Yankees continue to slip down the American League standings. And some news that emerged on Thursday regarding former All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo certainly won’t help things.
Rizzo has been in a drastic slump for the past two months, hitting for a batting average of .173 in the month of June and .167 in the month of July.
It now seems like there may be an explanation for these struggles for Rizzo. The team announced on Thursday that Rizzo will be taking a trip to the IL after tests showed that he has post-concussion syndrome.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Placed INF Anthony Rizzo on the 10-day injured list with post-concussion syndrome.
• Recalled INF/OF Oswaldo Cabrera (#95) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 3, 2023
According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, the organization traces Rizzo’s undiagnosed concussion back to a collision with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. that happened back on May 28th.
Boone said the Yankees trace this back to the Tatis Jr. collision. Testing showed cognitive impairment https://t.co/5M5qq4dJge
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 3, 2023
If you take a look at the video of the collision, it certainly makes sense that Rizzo suffered some sort of head injury on the play. He appeared to be on wobbly legs shortly after making contact with Tatis.
Anthony Rizzo appeared to be in a lot of pain after getting tangled up with Fernando Tatis Jr. on this strike em out throw em out double play pic.twitter.com/dHpj8kh2e0
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 28, 2023
Regardless, fans are certainly questioning how this injury went undiagnosed by the team for over two months.
It's really unfathomable to think fans on twitter knew Anthony Rizzo had a concussion but the Yankees didn't.
It's actually alarming. It also makes a lot of sense why this team has been inept for a decade.
It's starts at the top. Until a change is made, this is the norm.
— Mike Daddino (@mike_daddino) August 3, 2023
I hope Anthony Rizzo can be back 100% next year. It's clear that he was never himself ever since that collision.
— Yankeesource (@YankeeSource) August 3, 2023
You mean post concussion syndrome from a concussion he allegedly never had??? From May??? So you lied??? A joke of an organization. https://t.co/06teugHwAp
— Jess (@jesssss_15) August 3, 2023
Oh so it turns out Rizzo being the worst hitter in baseball for 3 months after being incredible before being hurt was because he came back and was still hurt… wow I’m shocked! https://t.co/1SN7hqaakn
— Pete (@YankeesCole) August 3, 2023
Every single one of us knew there was an issue with Rizzo.
Point for the twitter doctors.
A big fat you’re fired to the doctors that checked him https://t.co/nRQ2fq7v2j
— Bessie (@BessieBest77) August 3, 2023
Boone did add that Rizzo went through MLB concussion protocol at the time of the injury, and passed all of his tests. And he has only recently complained about having fogginess.
Boone said that Rizzo went through MLB concussion protocol at the time of the injury and passed all testing then. In recent days he has complained of fogginess.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 3, 2023
If Boone is telling the truth about this situation, then it truly is just an unfortunate situation for both Rizzo and the Yankees organization.
However, if they knew about Rizzo’s concussion in any way or that he was feeling off for the two months after his collision, then the Yankees are very clearly in the wrong and should be criticized heavily for playing an injured player.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.