Yankees News: Anthony Rizzo injury, Aaron Judge history, AL Wild Card

The 2024 MLB season concluded Sunday and the New York Yankees took home a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. They clinched the best record in the American League (94-68) and will have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

But they have to navigate some impactful issues that have affected the roster in the last few days. First, Nestor Cortes went down with an elbow injury and is likely going to miss the entire postseason. Then, on Saturday, Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch on the hand and suffered two fractured fingers.

Ben Rice was called up Sunday as the team awaits to determine Rizzo's status for the ALDS. However, it's not looking good. Manager Aaron Boone said it's a long shot that Rizzo will be ready to play by Saturday.

The veteran first baseman spoke to reporters about the injury after Sunday's game and made it clear he was going to do all he can to be ready, but that the reality of the situation might not allow for that.

Thankfully, the Yankees have some first base options in Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera. Rice had been swinging a hot bat in Triple-A since being optioned after Rizzo's return while Cabrera's versatility has brought out the best in him this season.

Yankees News: Anthony Rizzo injury, Aaron Judge history, AL Wild Card

But the Yankees still have the likely AL MVP on their side. Aaron Judge finished the year with one of the best offensive seasons in baseball history as he continues to build a Hall of Fame resume.

He was 10 points from capturing the Triple Crown, but he led baseball in on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.701), OPS (1.159), OPS+ (223), total bases (392), home runs (58) and RBI (144). A lot of those numbers had significant meaning behind them.

Though Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. put up an incredible season of his own and could've very much been the reason his team made the playoffs, Judge logged yet another MVP-caliber campaign on par with what Barry Bonds had been doing 20 years ago. This history is undeniable, and should propel Judge to more hardware when the time comes.

Next up? A World Series ring. And the Yankees have some time to regroup before they start postseason play.

The AL Wild Card picture is set. The Yankees will face either the Baltimore Orioles or Kansas City Royals in the ALDS. Those two teams will be facing off at 4:08 p.m. ET Monday and Tuesday (and Wednesday, if necessary).

As for the Astros-Tigers series, Houston is getting a bit hosed being stuck with the early afternoon times on those three days with the game being broadcasted on ABC. This might be the most entertaining Wild Card series and it'll end up having the worst viewership.

Yankees fans, enjoy some playoff baseball before you're glued to the edge of your couch hoping for your team to make a run. Once the entire Wild Card slate is determined after the Braves-Mets doubleheader on Monday, there will be plenty of entertaining games to watch stress-free while taking note of who the Yanks might run into further down the road.