-
Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
BOSTON — Anthony Rizzo has led the majors in hit by pitches three different seasons during his career. He has been among the league leaders in a few others. Last season, he played through post-concussion syndrome for more than two months. He often plays through pain.
So, concern colored the New York Yankees when Rizzo was on the wrong side of a collision at first base and immediately exited their 9-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning Sunday night.
The Yankees said Rizzo left the game with “a right lower arm injury.” The results of the fluoroscopy he underwent at Fenway Park were negative, but he is scheduled for further testing in New York on Monday.
“He’s in some pain in that lower arm in a number of places,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’ll get a lot of tests tomorrow and see what we’re dealing with.”
Rizzo, running out a ground ball to the first baseman, crashed into Red Sox pitcher Brennan Bernardino as he tried to sidestep him. He landed awkwardly on his right hand, grabbing his right wrist as he tumbled on the ground and the ball bounced away from Bernardino.
“You don’t see that from Rizz usually,” star slugger Aaron Judge said. “He knows what it is, dealing with pain. But he’s tough. I think he’ll be fine.”
Rizzo, 34, is off to a career-worst start at the plate, batting .223 with a .630 OPS in 69 games this season. But he showed flashes during the Yankees’ road trip, tallying four hits, four walks and a home run in the four games before Sunday.
“Yeah, I think we all are,” Yankees starter Marcus Stroman said when asked whether he was worried about Rizzo’s injury. “Rizzo’s our guy. Everyone’s hoping those X-rays come back negative and he’s back out there.”