New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced on Tuesday that first baseman Anthony Rizzo will be shut down for the remainder of the 2023 MLB season. Rizzo is dealing with “post-concussion syndrome,” according to Boone.
Rizzo has been on the Injured List since early August, but the incident that caused the concussion happened more than two months prior. The 34-year-old collided with San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. back in May but only had a short absence before returning to action. He was only diagnosed with a concussion later on when he reported to the Yankees’ medical staff that he was feeling “foggy.”
The Yankees initially hoped Rizzo might recover in time to give them a boost for a late playoffs push but decided not to make any risks in rushing him back.
“I would say everything is going well,” said Boone at a press conference. “His most recent checkup was all of the things we’re looking for as far as there’s improvements and where he is, but still hadn’t been cleared yet to play.”
Rizzo played a total of 99 games in 2023, batting .244 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs. He previously signed a new contract with the Yankees during the offseason that pays him $40 million in 2023 and 2024 and has a team option for 2025.
