Yankees' Rizzo scratched late vs. Mets because of lat tightness

Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo was a late scratch from Friday's game against the New York Mets due to lat tightness.

Rizzo said he's had the issue on occasion during his career. Rizzo said he's fully confident he will be ready for Thursday's opener at Houston.

"I've had it to where it's been six to eight days, I've had it where it's one to two, I've had it where I played through." Rizzo said. "So, this is precaution at the fullest. I'm not going to risk it turning it into something that could be really bad."

Rizzo is hitting .412 with two homers and nine RBI after being limited to 99 games last season by post-concussion syndrome.

Third baseman DJ LeMahieu, who hasn't played since Saturday due to a bruised right foot, increased his running program, and also resumed throwing and swinging a bat.

His status for the start of the regular season has not been determined.