Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo is likely done for the regular season

The most realistic timeline would have Rizzo return for the National League Championship Series, if the Cubs get that far into the playoffs.

By Gordon Wittenmyer

The Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo is helped off the field by teammate Jason Heyward and team trainer PJ Mainville Sunday. Rizzo won’t need surgery on his injured right ankle, the team announced on Monday.

An MRI revealed that Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has a moderate lateral right ankle sprain.

The team said Rizzo will not need surgery, but will be in a boot for five to seven days. He will be reevaluated after that.

Neither the club nor Rizzo are ruling out a return by the end of the season, but that would take basically a miracle. A more realistic timeline likely would be returning in time for the National League Championship Series, if the Cubs get that far.

“Whether it’s now or the first game of the World Series, I want to play as soon as possible,” Rizzo said.

”Obviously these weeks in September and October are why you play baseball. The funnest time of the year, the most pressure packed and action packed. To miss any time right now sucks. But it could have been worse.”

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No surgery for Anthony Rizzo’s injured ankle, but the Cubs first baseman is likely done for the regular season

The most realistic timeline would have Rizzo return for the National League Championship Series, if the Cubs get that far into the playoffs.