Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo left ALDS vs. Royals after breaking his fingers

When the New York Yankees begin the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night, they will not have Anthony Rizzo available.

Rizzo was ruled out for the series after the Yankees first baseman suffered two broken fingers in last weekend’s series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera will be manager Aaron Boone’s starting options in place of Rizzo.

Rizzo suffered the broken fingers after being hit by a pitch from Ryan Borucki. After being mentored by Yankees head coach Tim Lentych, Rizzo stayed in the game and took first base. As the game moved into the top of the eighth quarter, he was substituted on the field.

Afterwards, Boone was unwilling to rule Rizzo out for any part of the postseason, as there was hope that the fingers could heal quickly enough for Rizzo to play, as the Yankees had five full days off before they could play again.

That wasn’t the case, however, as Rizzo, a four-time Gold Glove winner, said Friday that his hitting and catching ability wasn’t what he needed right now.

“If I went through that, I wouldn’t be able to be my best version on defense or offense,” Rizzo said. “I had to be honest with myself and it’s tough, but this team has a different aura and a different energy at the moment and I’m confident that hopefully I’ll join them in the next round.”

Earlier this season, Rizzo missed 62 games after breaking his right forearm in a collision with Boston Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino in June. Since returning to the lineup on September 1, he finished the regular season with a .380 batting average, eight hits and seven RBI.

Rizzo was hit eight times in 335 at-bats this season and 222 times in his 14-year career, the eighth-most in MLB history.

If the Yankees get past the Royals, the ALCS will begin on October 14th.