Cubs News: Anthony Rizzo injury update |
This is not great news for Cubs fans.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo will miss his third straight game on Sunday with lower back stiffness. During Sunday's pre-game interview, Rizzo told the media that his back issue started on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds, but the back felt pretty good after two straight off days. "Better than yesterday, better than the day before," Rizzo said. "It's one of those things where it locks up. It's locked up worse than it has in the past. I don't want to re-aggravate it." "It's definitely important and I want to play tomorrow, but at the same time, you've got to be smart," Rizzo said. "If I play tomorrow, I could set myself back 10 days, five, six days. We'll see how it goes today, and today will be a big day." However, the back pain got worse as he played through the pain on Thursday and he is now uncertain that he will be able to play on Monday for the home opener at Wrigley Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is currently receiving treatment and hopes to go tomorrow but doesn't want a setback that would land him on the 10-day disabled list. The Cubs might be planning on letting him rest on Monday and Tuesday (day off) and then see if that rest and the treatment will allow him to play Wednesday. Rizzo has been very durable the last few years with playing at least 155 games in each of the previous three seasons. For the season in 28 at-bats, Rizzo is batting only .107 with a homer and three RBIs. Youngster Victor Caratini will replace Rizzo in the starting lineup for today's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
