Anthony Rizzo’s home run drought has him searching for power stroke – The Denver Post

The Yankees were more than happy to re-sign Anthony Rizzo over the offseason after the first baseman tied a career-high with 32 home runs in 2022, his first full season of calling Yankee Stadium home.

But pop has alluded the lefty swinger lately. Entering Thursday’s series finale against the Orioles, Rizzo had not hit a home run since May 20. That span includes 34 games and 141 plate appearances.

“I mean, does it get in your head? Obviously, you want to do damage in the box,” Rizzo said after going 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s loss. “When you’re off mechanically, it sucks. You fight for it and it comes back. That feeling comes back in a swing and it’s just keeping it and repeating it.”

“It’s frustrating, but this is part of it and you got to just keep working.”

For a second, it looked as if Rizzo had ended his drought on Wednesday, as he lofted a ball to right field during the eighth inning. But the fly fell short, and he remained stuck on 11 home runs for the season.

Rizzo hasn’t been able to work around his lack of power much, either, as he slashed .198/.312/.240 with five doubles and 10 RBI over that 34-game sample.

That stretch included a few days of rest for Rizzo after he sustained a stiff neck against the Padres on May 28. A freak collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. on a pickoff play banged Rizzo up, and he didn’t return to action until June 2.

Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rizzo was “definitely a little bit off” after the injury, but the veteran said that’s behind him now.

“I don’t think there’s any residual,” Rizzo said. “I’m just not hitting to my standard, and it’s frustrating, personally, but this is part of being a baseball player. When things are tough, it shows your character.”

While Rizzo hasn’t gone deep in a while, Boone felt the slugger had started to gain some traction over the last 10 days so. Prior to Thursday, Rizzo had hit .250/.431/.318 over his last 14 games.

Still, the manager acknowledged that the Yankees need Rizzo to put the ball over the wall.

“We got to get him there,” Boone said. “Obviously, he’s a huge presence in our lineup. And while I do feel like he’s built a little bit of momentum, we got to get him to that wrecking ball he can be in the middle.”

ANTI-GRAVITY JUDGE

On Thursday, Boone said that Aaron Judge added some hitting off overhand tosses on Wednesday. Judge had already been using the tee and soft-tossing.

He’s also run on an AlterG, an anti-gravity treadmill, as he recovers from a torn ligament in his right big toe.

Banged-up Bauers

Boone also said that Jake Bauers hurt his shoulder while diving for a ball during Wednesday’s game. The outfielder was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday.

THE LATEST ON PETE STENDEL

Things got scary during Wednesday’s game when an errant Orioles throw hit YES Network cameraman Pete Stendel in the head. A first aid team had to carry Stendel off on a stretcher and golf cart, but he was able to signal a peace sign to the Yankee Stadium crowd as he left the field.

On Thursday, YES announced that Stendel is home resting after sustaining an orbital fracture. “He and his family appreciate everyone’s support,” the network said.

Boone, meanwhile, spoke to Stendel on the phone Thursday after previously meeting the cameraman. The manager added that witnessing Stendel’s injury in real time “freaked me out a little bit,” but Boone said their chat was encouraging.

“He sounded really good and in good spirits,” Boone said. “Hopefully he’s on the road to recovery now. But I’m glad that he’s able to be at home resting.”

MEET THE NEW LEFTY

The Yankees claimed left-hander Anthony Misiewicz off waivers from the Detroit Tigers and assigned him to Triple-A on Thursday.

The 28-year-old posted an 8.64 ERA over 8.1 innings for the Tigers and Diamondbacks this season. He’s totaled 127 major league games over four seasons while also pitching for the Mariners and Royals.

Misiewicz, a Michigan State product, owns a 4.74 ERA for his career.

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