Around the Empire: Yankees news - 9/29/24

New York Post | Greg Joyce : Just when Anthony Rizzo appeared to be turning the corner, things went awry yet again. Rizzo was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning of yesterday's game, and though he tried to remain in the game, Oswaldo Cabrera replaced him at first base in the next inning. Rizzo had finally started to put together some better at-bats, and had slashed .375/.483/.458 in his previous seven games.

After the game, Aaron Boone said Rizzo had suffered two fractured fingers and that the injury "doesn't rule him out for the playoffs," but that pain management and tolerance will play a role in determining if Rizzo can return in time for the start of the ALDS on Saturday (if at all). Cabrera and Ben Rice were noted as potential replacements if needed.

CBS Sports : Will Warren was called up to the Yankees yesterday, and as he's done every time he's appeared in the majors this year, he took it on the chin, allowing three runs in the ninth inning against the Pirates. While Warren's performance at this point isn't of the utmost importance, it's notable that his call-up did cross off one potential name for the Yankees' ALDS roster: Cody Poteet. The right-hander was optioned in favor of Warren, meaning Poteet is no longer eligible for the first round of the playoffs. Poteet was a longshot to make the roster, but Warren's call-up removes any possibility.

Also of note: Warren was immediately optioned after the game as well, so a fresh arm awaits the roster today. He wouldn't have made the playoff roster either.

The Athletic | Brendan Kuty : ($) Juan Soto met with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner over the summer, Kuty reports. "It was good to get to know the owner," Soto said. "Get to see what he's thinking about me and everything." He added "It's great to have an owner that really cares for players."

One conversation won't swing the result of Soto's impending free agency, but it's a good sign that he and Steinbrenner have open lines of communication. Steinbrenner played an instrumental role in keeping Aaron Judge in pinstripes, and he may need to do the same if he wants Soto in the Bronx for the remainder of his career.

And, in case you missed it:

The Guardians fell again to the Astros, with the Yankees' rivals in Houston doing them a rare favor. Cleveland's loss clinched the top seed in the AL for New York. Although the Guardians are just one game back in the standings, the Yankees clinch by virtue of the possible tiebreaker: winning the season series against Cleveland.