Yankees' Anthony Rizzo shares update on his concussion issues

Rizzo started the 2023 MLB season scorching hot, batting .305 with 11 home runs. During a May 28 game against the San Diego Padres, however, Fernando Tatis Jr.'s hip smacked into Rizzo's head on a pick-off attempt in the top of the sixth inning. 

Rizzo remained in the lineup through June and July, hitting just one home run with a .169 average across 45 games following the incident before the Yankees put him on the injured list on Aug. 3. They officially shut him down for the season a month later. 

While Yankee fans would love to take Rizzo at his word, the recent injury history in the Bronx over the past few seasons means they likely won't believe Rizzo (or any other player for that matter) is fully healthy until they see it. 

In 2023, only the Dodgers (2,465) and Angels (2,346) had more games missed due to injury than the Yankees (2,158), per USA Today. While the number of games missed is a problem, the bigger issue is who has missed time. 

Rizzo played in just 99 games last season, while sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge logged just 101 and 106, respectively.

Those three were supposed to make up the heart of the lineup last season, but their injuries were major contributors to New York's worst season since 1995. Many of the team's struggles stemmed from a putrid offense. 

The Yankees finished 29th of 30 teams in overall batting average and batting average with runners in scoring position (.227 for both). New York finished in the top 10 in home runs (219), but its .304 on-base percentage severely limited the offense. 

It isn't reasonable to expect any team to go without any injuries throughout a 162-game season. But the Yankees are a veteran-laden team with many players on one-year contracts. If they can't find a way to keep their best players healthy and playing, it could be time for a complete organizational overhaul.