As the playoff race reaches fever pitch, a critical piece of the Yankees’ lineup will make his long-awaited return.

Anthony Rizzo, who has been sidelined since June 18 with a right forearm fracture, was activated from the 60-day IL on Sunday as rosters expand from 26 to 28 players. They also recalled right-handers Scott Effross and Ron Marinaccio and outfielder Duke Ellis from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Rizzo suffered the break after colliding with Red Sox pitcher Brennan Bernardino at first base on June 16, a brutal blow after he was limited to just 99 games in 2023 by a concussion also sustained in an awkward basepath collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres. In his first 70 games of 2024, the 35-year-old was hitting .223 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 70 games.

Manager Aaron Boone had said Saturday that Rizzo was “likely” to be activated when rosters expanded on Sunday, which was solidified by the Yankees’ decision to option rookie Ben Rice, who largely took over first base duties in July before hitting an offensive skid over the past few weeks.

There had been some speculation about whether the Yankees would use one additional roster spot to give another look to top prospect Jasson Domínguez, who had hit four home runs in his first eight games a year ago before undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right UCL in late September. Domínguez made his return to the Majors on Aug. 18, when he went 0-for-4 as the club’s 27th man at the Little League Classic; after that game he was optioned back to Triple-A.

Of note regarding Domínguez: Should he end the season with fewer than 130 career at-bats (as of Sept. 1, he has 35), he will retain his rookie status and the Yankees would remain eligible to receive a supplemental pick in the 2026 Draft if Domínguez were to win the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award via the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI).