In a setback for the New York Yankees, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was unexpectedly scratched from Friday's lineup against the Mets due to a tight lat muscle, the team announced. Rizzo, who had been enjoying a strong spring, was back in action after dealing with concussion issues that hampered his performance last season.

The severity of Rizzo's lat issue remains unknown at this time. To fill in for him, Luis Torrens stepped up to the plate as the starting first baseman for Friday's game. The Yankees, however, find themselves lacking depth in that position, with their top choice, DJ LeMahieu, also facing injury concerns.

LeMahieu is currently racing against the clock to recover in time for Opening Day, having sustained a significant bone bruise in his right foot last Saturday. Encouragingly, LeMahieu was able to participate in indoor batting practice on Friday, along with engaging in ground balls at third base and various agility drills. His progress is viewed as a positive step towards returning to full form.

In the event that LeMahieu is unable to play, Oswaldo Cabrera is expected to take over at third base. However, if Rizzo's absence becomes prolonged, Cabrera could potentially be considered as an alternative option at first base for the Yankees.

The Yankees would undoubtedly feel the impact if both Rizzo and LeMahieu are unable to take the field at the start of the season. Their presence and contributions are integral to the team's performance, and their injuries pose an additional challenge for the Yankees as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

As the Yankees closely monitor the situation, updates on the statuses of Rizzo and LeMahieu are eagerly awaited by fans and team officials alike. The hope remains that these key players can overcome their respective setbacks and be ready to contribute to the team's success at the earliest possible opportunity.