The New York Yankees' disappointing season in 2023 was largely due to injuries. While other factors certainly played a hand, the injuries to Aaron Judge, Carlos Rodon, Anthony Rizzo, and others didn't help.
That's been a common theme for the Yankees throughout the past few seasons, and part of the reason why the team hasn't accomplished its goal of winning a World Series title.
As the 2024 season approaches, health is a must for New York.
That could be said for every team in baseball, but the Yankees have to find a way to finally stay healthy for an entire year.
Rizzo, who dealt with a concussion last season, was one of the worst hitters in baseball after getting injured. He had an impressive start to the year before colliding with Fernando Tatis Jr of the San Diego Padres.
He spoke about what it was like trying to hit last season, saying the following, according to Max Winters of Daily Mail.
"It's like waking up and trying to do anything before you have coffee. I don't know, I'm just always alert and aware now."
Rizzo's comparison is a funny one as he looks to bounce back after a tough ending to his season last year.
When healthy, the slugger is one of the better first basemen in baseball. The three-time All-Star hit 32 home runs in 2022, his last healthy season.
New York will need him to produce as their offense can be that much better with a healthy Rizzo in it.
After dealing with that injury, it could take Rizzo a bit to get back to speed. Concussions aren't the easiest to come back from, but he sounds like he's progressing well at this point of Spring Training.
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