Looking at Rizzo’s back, looking forward for Cubs

SHARE Looking at Rizzo’s back, looking forward for Cubs
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The Cubs are doing their best to stay all smiles when it comes to the health of Anthony Rizzo’s back this season.

MIAMI – The Cubs are confident All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo will avoid the disabled list, but his balky lower back kept him out of a second consecutive game Friday.

And manager Joe Maddon acknowledges it’s a recurring issue that might require extra monitoring as the Cubs try to keep their lineup healthy and robust through October.

“I have no problem giving him a day off, and he knows that,” Maddon said when asked about Rizzo’s back – which also sidelined him for a game two weeks ago in Atlanta. “It’s just really about an open conversation and making sure that we don’t hurt him.”

Rizzo, who reported feeling much improved Friday since leaving Wednesday’s game in the seventh when the back tightened, has been reluctant to take days off. And the Cubs have sorely missed his presence the short time he’s been out of the lineup this week as they eye a possible return Saturday.

“It’s never any fun to not have Anthony in the lineup,” Maddon said.

But Rizzo admittedly has dealt with the issue on and off in his career. And though it hasn’t been a long-term injury any of those times, the losing his bat for even a week could get potentially more significant the deeper the Cubs get into the season.

“It’s never any fun when a back starts bothering you,” Maddon said. “[The Cubs’ trainer] had a little concern like we’re talking about, but it’s loosened up. So that’s a good thing.”

Maddon already has been proactive in resting his starters as the Cubs anticipate a seven-month run.

“Even in advance of his bad back,” Maddon said. “I have no problem giving anybody a day off; it just has to be communicated.”

Joe on the go

Six-time All-Star closer Joe Nathan struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning of relief Thursday for Class AA Tennessee in his first minor-league rehab appearance.

Barring setback in his return from last year’s Tommy John surgery, he could be ready to join the Cubs bullpen just after the All-Star break.

Nathan, 41, was signed in late April as a potential second-half lift for the Cubs’ bullpen – which, entering Friday’s game, had allowed 15 runs (and 30 base runners) in its last 25 innings (5.40 ERA).

Bet for tat

Cubs ace Jake Arrieta (TCU) and infielder Tommy La Stella (Coastal Carolina) have some serious body ink on the line as their alma maters face off in the College World Series.

The one whose school eliminates the other pays off by getting a tattoo representing the other guy’s school (though no requirements on the size or location).

“And I’m tattoo-less,” said La Stella, who already owes a smaller payoff for TCU’s earlier win over the Chanticleers (i.e., Chickens). “It’s significant.”

Notes: Catcher Miguel Montero, who escaped injury after “hearing a pop” in his knee on a play Wednesday, was given a precautionary day off Friday but was available off the bench. … Third baseman Javy Baez escaped injury Friday when he went face-first into the seats in foul territory to catch J.T. Realmuto’s foul popup in the fourth. Players initially waved for the trainer, but Baez jumped back out of the stands, flipped the ball, grabbed it forcefully out of the air, and headed immediately back to his position.


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