NEW YORK -- As the playoff race reaches a fever pitch, a critical piece of the Yankees’ lineup is making his long-awaited return.

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

Rizzo started at first base and batted seventh in the Yankees' 14-7 loss to the Cardinals. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and two runs.

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 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 Rizzo was hitting .223 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs.

“I feel strong. The strength is fully up to speed. I’m excited to be back,” Rizzo said. “I hope to be a boost of energy and come in and help because this team has played well. We put ourselves in a really good position on Sept. 1 to go out and win a division and set ourselves up nicely for the playoffs.”

The Yankees are hoping Rizzo goes back to being the productive player who produced 32 home runs and helped them reach the American League Championship Series in 2022. In the 30 games before the forearm injury, Rizzo had a slash line of .175/.226/.228. A healthy Rizzo would provide length to New York’s lineup.

“Hopefully, he can provide something for our lineup,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We are seeing some other guys starting to contribute, step up this year. … If Anthony can get it going, that would add that much more length to our lineup. …

“I still think [the consistent hitting is] in there for him to be productive. I feel like he is walking in here with some confidence. Obviously, an amazing track record. He is a proven money kind of player this time of year. We’ll see.”

There had been some speculation that the Yankees would use one additional roster spot to give another look to top prospect Jasson Domínguez. Instead, New York decided to call up Ellis, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners last Monday.

Ellis made his Major League debut on June 4 with the White Sox and went hitless in four at-bats, though he stole four bases in eight games overall. He will be used primarily as a pinch-runner and a defensive replacement in the late innings.

Boone said a Domínguez callup was considered and acknowledged that the outfielder has played well since coming back from a left oblique injury. Entering Sunday, Domínguez was hitting .306 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 37 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Boone indicated that Domínguez could be on a Major League field this month.

“It’s important for him to play right now,” Boone said.

Last year, Domínguez made his Major League debut and hit four home runs in his first eight games before undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right UCL in late September. Domínguez returned 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 (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).

Effross and Marinaccio add bullpen depth. Effros had Tommy John surgery and back problems before returning to a Minor League mound in June. In 21 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Effros appeared in 21 games and had a 3.75 ERA with 22 strikeouts.

Marinaccio is in his fifth stint with the Major League club and has a 2.53 ERA in 14 games for the Yankees.