Anthony Rizzo could play rehab games for the Yankees in a few days

First base has been a black hole for the Yankees for much of this season, with Ben Rice and DJ LeMahieu filling in for Anthony Rizzo, who wasn't hitting well even before he suffered a broken right forearm.

But Rizzo finally seems to be recovering from the injury that has kept him out of action since mid-June.

Rizzo said Wednesday that he could play his first rehab game as early as Friday or Sunday.

Rizzo said he hasn't felt any arm discomfort in over a week and that strength in his right arm has returned. He will be limited to the DH role initially but will eventually return to first base.

“It feels good,” Rizzo said of the arm. “Obviously the CT scan won't lie, but it feels good. … We'll keep working on it.”

He believes the controlled environment of being a DH in a rehab game will reduce the risk of aggravating the injury, and he's willing to give it a try.

“That's what I get paid to play,” Rizzo said after taking batting practice in the Bronx before Wednesday's game against Cleveland. “I miss playing. I want to come back and help this team.”

They need it because the Yankees' first basemen have been among the worst all season.

Rice made just his third start since Aug. 10 — and his sixth overall against a left-hander — on Wednesday with LeMahieu out of the starting lineup.

Aaron Boone said he didn't use LeMahieu in part because of the length of Tuesday's 12-inning loss and also acknowledged that LeMahieu hasn't pitched well again, going 2-for-19.

And Tuesday was another rough night, as LeMahieu hit a line drive to center, but then failed to score a run in the infield, got caught in a double play and was eliminated with runners in scoring position.

LeMahieu didn't make it through Tuesday, but he had more trouble than almost anyone else on the team.

Alex Verdugo is another Yankee in a slump, with three hits in 29 at-bats.

“He's had ups and downs in the last few months after being a force in the first few months,” Boone said. “He's such a good hitter [and] he's a young man. I have a feeling we're on a winning streak. He's still working.”

In addition to Rizzo and perhaps Clarke Schmidt, infielder Jon Berti (calf) could also be in rehab Friday at Double-A Somerset, according to Boone.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (elbow) returned to batting practice and said he feels he will be back in the game once he can be activated off the injured list.