Rizzo is slashing .258/.366/.800 with five homers and 19 RBIs this season.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo was back in the lineup and hitting third for the Cubs on Tuesday. Rizzo had missed the last six games while dealing with lower back tightness, something he’s dealt with the last few years.
Getting Rizzo back in the lineup should be a boost for the Cubs’ offense that has been able to manage while he’s been out. The Cubs’ first baseman is slashing .258/.366/.800 with five homers and 19 RBIs.
“As long as he’s healthy and feeling good, we’ll listen to that and let him play,” manager David Ross said. “If there’s days where it’s barking, he’ll come in and talk to me. If I see body language where it feels like he can’t bend down and get ground balls or get his A-swing off, then we’ll monitor that accordingly. That’s no different than everybody else. Once I put them in the lineup, I feel free that they’re able to play until they tell me they’re not with the back stuff.”
The Cubs have had a tough couple of weeks dealing with injuries, but with Rizzo returning and a few key players on the verge of making their returns, their luck may be starting to turn.
Outfielders Jason Heyward (left hamstring strain) and Jake Marisnick (right hamstring strain) are set to begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, according to Ross. If things go well, both will meet the team in San Francisco later this week.
Infielders Matt Duffy (low back tightness) and Nico Hoerner (left hamstring strain) are a little further behind Heyward and Marisnick, but both have made progress from their respective injuries in recent days.
Duffy did some light work on the field before Tuesday’s game and has been taking swings off the tee. Left-hander Justin Steele (right hamstring strain) threw a 10-pitch bullpen a few days ago and will throw another later this week.
“These guys are professional,” Ross said. “I would say I attribute that to the character of the guys that are coming up and the guys we have. The veterans, the stars we have, the world champions in the room, they are bringing that energy. They’re cheering [each other] on, they’re helping them. The other guys [that are coming up] are great dudes, they’re hard working. They listen and they understand their role.”
He said it
“I think it’s huge. It’s huge for the makeup of the clubhouse and I think that transcends onto the field.When you walk in and Rizzo is dapping you up and saying welcome and you got Heyward doing the same thing. When you see those guys first right when you step in and they make you feel relaxed and comfortable, it kind of sets it up for later down the road. –Patrick Wisdom on young players making an impact
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3yWRRCg
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