Yankees' Anthony Rizzo stays confident about Opening Day after being scratched vs Mets

TAMPA, Fla. – Moments before the Subway Series South got underway, another wave of anxiety – prompted by an injury scare - moved through Steinbrenner Field.

Due to left lat tightness, Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo was scratched from Friday’s lineup.

By late afternoon, Rizzo was “fully confident I’ll be there Opening Day,’’ and just being cautious not to turn a minor discomfort into something worse.

“Honestly, it’s just being smart,’’ Rizzo said during the Yankees’ 5-3 exhibition win against the Mets. "I know it's going to ring some alarms, but I'll be fine.''

DJ LeMahieu still questionable for Opening Day

Only six days remain until Thursday’s season opener at Houston, and Yankees Universe has reached the Let’s-Get-Out-of-Florida-in-One-Piece stage of spring training.

After losing ace starter Gerrit Cole (elbow irritation) for about the first two months of the season, Aaron Judge paused his exhibition play due to core soreness and DJ LeMahieu fouled a ball off his right foot.

Dealing with a bone bruise, LeMahieu remains questionable for Opening Day against the Astros and he'll stay behind at Tampa - along with Rizzo - instead of being on the traveling squad to Mexico City for two exhibition games, beginning Sunday.

Earlier Friday, LeMahieu did some on-field defensive work and took swings in the batting cage.

“Feeling better,’’ said LeMahieu, who was headed to the trainer’s room and further consultation to “see where we’re at,’’ concerning his potential availability for Opening Day.

Manager Aaron Boone called LeMahieu's increasing baseball activity "a good sign,'' though "we’ve still got a ways to go to be at the point where he’s ready to play.''

Making his second exhibition start since his abs discomfort, and his first in left field this spring, Judge went 0-for-3.

Judge and Juan Soto also will not accompany the club to Mexico, according to Boone.

"I think just to be able to iron out his swing, make sure he’s where he wants to be, it's probably best to keep him here,'' Boone said of Soto (1-for-3), batting .325 this spring with a 1.086 OPS.

As for Rizzo's next exhibition game in Florida, "maybe Sunday, hopefully Monday,’’ he said. “But if not, at this point , I’m ready to go. It won’t be an issue for Opening Day, that’s for sure.’’

Anthony Rizzo has dealt with lat issues in the past

LeMahieu, 35, enters 2024 as the Yankees’ primary third baseman and leadoff hitter. He’s also the Yanks’ best option at first base behind Rizzo.

Without much in the way of depth at first base, Oswaldo Cabrera is expected to make the Yankees' Opening Day roster, in part, for his ability to play some first base along with the other infield spots.

On Friday, catcher-by-trade Luis Torrens subbed at first base for Rizzo and made a sharp defensive play. Boone said a scenario exists to carry three catchers initially, though no decisions have been made.

Out of minor league options, catcher Ben Rortvedt is a possible trade candidate, and the Yankees might add another experienced, defensively versatile infielder from outside the organization before Thursday.

At least, Rizzo - the club's likely cleanup hitter - appears confident that his lat issue is a temporary nuisance.

Rizzo said he first felt something Thursday and the discomfort had increased during Friday’s pregame warm-up.

About 15 minutes before the exhibition game, Rizzo told Boone of his condition.

“I’m not going to risk it turning into something that could be really bad,’’ said Rizzo, who has dealt with similar lat issues over the years.

“I’ve had it to where it’s been six-to-eight days (of rest), I’ve had it one-to-two,’’ said Rizzo. “And I’ve had it where I played through. That’s when it really hurts.’’

Coming off a lost 2023 season due to post-concussion symptoms, Rizzo was enjoying a fine spring training, batting .412 (14-for-34) in exhibition play with three doubles, two homers and nine RBI in 14 games.

Rizzo’s 1.188 OPS is tops among all Yankees with a minimum 25 Grapefruit League at-bats.

Boone listed Rizzo as "day-to-day. He didn't seem worried about it; we'll see how it progresses.''

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Anthony Rizzo: Yankees' first baseman scratched from lineup vs. Mets