BREAKING: Cubs announce Rizzo is healthy enough and leading off vs. Cards |
Huge news out of Chicago as first baseman
Anthony Rizzo will be leading off and playing first base tonight in a pivotal series against the Cardinals.
Rizzo was working on cutting and doing some different movements during pregame; it must have gone well as he is now in the starting lineup less than a week after being helped off the field with the ankle injury. According to Cubs officials, he had a cortisone shot Monday and has his ankle taped tightly. At one point, he was supposed to have a walking boot on until at least Sunday. This is a huge boost for the Cubs as Rizzo's leadership can not be overlooked as they play these must-win games against the Cardinals. "As they say they're ready to play, we'll play them," Maddon said about his injured stars during pregame. For the season, Rizzo is batting .289 with 26 homers and 93 RBIs. Updated #Cubs lineup!#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/a1PCTzZswq PLOT TWIST: Anthony Rizzo leading off tonight. Doubt the front office, question the manager, call out the team, but never underestimate the heart of Anthony Rizzo. Wrigley Field buzzes as Anthony Rizzo is introduced as the leadoff hitter! pic.twitter.com/dCPhbM1fZC When Rizzo last spoke to us said training staff getting on him immediately was huge. They worked on him for first 48 hours, key w/ these types of injuries, & started feeling better Day 3. He hit in cage earlier today, training staff said it's stable & he has a high pain tolerance Rizzo decided today he wanted to play and got clearance, and ankle is tightly wrapped. Had a cortisone shot Monday. Cubs official: “It’s Willis Reed.” After Rizzo warmed up in the outfield - and before he was added to the Cubs’ lineup - he told me he was going to announce his return the way Michael Jordan announced his 1995 comeback - with a Fax saying, “I’m back.” Well, no fax was necessary. News happens faster these days! This is def one of the cooler moments of the 2019 Cubs season. All @Cubs fans received a nice surprise tonight: Anthony Rizzo is back in the lineup!@Ken_Rosenthal | @TheBigHurt_35 | @AROD | @kevinburkhardt pic.twitter.com/2fAMWA1jxX
Anthony Rizzo sans walking boot is in the lineup tonight. #Cubs @fox32news @foxkickoff pic.twitter.com/rpM1aEAfDY
For the #Cubs, that makes 95 of the 153 games this season with a player listed at 235 lb or more starting in the leadoff spot.
7 for Rizzo (240)
32 for Heyward (240)
56 for Schwarber (235)
Outstanding.
A buzz started going through Wrigley and some faint cheers and I looked up and saw Rizzo running in the LF grass in full uniform and the faint cheers from fans started getting louder and louder.
Wild turn of events
