New York Yankees ALCS roster decision sees the return of a Cubs' legend

The New York Yankees are set to play the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night. The Yankees announced their roster for the series on Monday morning and with that, former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is back on the playing roster.

Anthony Rizzo is back on the Yankees' playoff roster.

In dealing with a finger injury, Rizzo was left off the Yankees' roster for their division-round series against the Kansas City Royals. The expectation was that Rizzo would be ready for to return for the ALCS.

Injuries derailed Rizzo's 2024 season with the Yankees. Between a fractured arm and the finger injury toward the end of the season, 2024 was the second consecutive season in which the former Cubs' de facto captain and under 100 games played. In 375 plate appearances this past season, Rizzo slashed .228/.301/.335/84 wRC+ with 8 home runs.

The Yankees hold a $17MM club option for Rizzo in 2025. Rizzo stated earlier this offseason that he would like to remain in New York as he inches closer to the end of his career. Rizzo, his injuries notwithstanding, has become a glue guy in the Yankees' clubhouse, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that he remains a Yankee beyond this season.

Another former Cub making the return to the Yankees' playoff roster is starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. Stroman's first season with the Yankees was filled with ups and downs before moving to the bullpen at the end of the season. As was the case in September, Stroman will be available out of the Yankees' bullpen against the Guardians.

Former Cubs' trusted reliever Mark Leiter Jr. remains off of the Yankees' playoff roster. Leiter's exclusion from the Yankees' playoff roster isn't a surprise considering the 4.98 ERA he's posted since being traded by the Cubs.