Yankees' Slugger Anthony Rizzo Heads To Injured List

by

Aug 4, 2023

In Major League Baseball, a cloud of uncertainty is currently hanging over Anthony Rizzo and the New York Yankees. Rizzo, a key figure in the Yankees lineup, has landed on the Injured List (IL) with a concussion, but there’s a growing concern that this injury might date back to an incident that occurred as far back as May 28th.

What’s alarming about this situation is the potential misdiagnosis and the implication that Rizzo might have been playing through this undiagnosed concussion for months. This raises serious questions about player safety and the efficiency of the Yankees’ medical team.

On May 28th, a particular incident with Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres caught the attention of the baseball community. In a routine play at first base, Tatis and Rizzo collided — a seemingly inconspicuous moment of impact, where Tatis’s hip made contact with Rizzo’s head. While the injury seemed minor then, it was clear that Rizzo struggled in the collision’s aftermath.

Despite the clear signs of possible concussion symptoms, Rizzo wasn’t diagnosed with a concussion at that time. This could suggest a gap in concussion awareness and protocol within the MLB, particularly when compared to organizations like the NFL, which has made notable strides in managing concussions.

The effects of this alleged oversight become even more apparent when we look at Rizzo’s performance following the collision. Before the May 28th incident, Rizzo was hitting at an impressive .304 average, with 11 home runs. However, after the collision, his performance plummeted to just one home run and a .172 batting average — the worst in Major League Baseball since that date.

These alarming statistics point towards a possible connection between the incident and Rizzo’s subsequent performance slump. The collision might have resulted in an undiagnosed concussion that was aggravated by continuous play, possibly even leading to post-concussion syndrome.

With Rizzo sidelined and an investigation into this possible misdiagnosis ongoing, the player and the Yankees are facing a serious situation. This scenario could have far-reaching implications for Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol and player safety guidelines, possibly initiating changes in how concussions are managed in the sport.

However, the primary concern remains Rizzo’s health and recovery. The team and fans alike will be hoping for a full recovery for Rizzo, allowing him to return to his form and once again contribute to the success of the Yankees.

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Thumbnail photo via Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

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