Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo goes on 10-day DL with back injury

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has dealt with lower-back pain since early last week, was put on the 10-day disabled list Monday after the Cubs’ home opener was postponed by snow.

The move was backdated to Friday, making Rizzo eligible to return Monday, when the Cubs open a three-game series against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo did not suffer a setback, according to team officials, and in fact had reported daily improvement.

But once it was determined he was unlikely to play Tuesday, the Cubs took advantage of the five-day maximum allowed to backdate a DL move to assure the earliest possible return while also allowing them to add a player for six days. They had played short-handed since Rizzo was scratched from the lineup Friday, with backup catcher Victor Caratini taking over first-base duties.

Rizzo typically has dealt once or twice a year with tightness in his upper back, usually costing him no more than two days. This time it was the lower back, and it locked up worse early last week, he said.

He said he first experienced the pain during last Monday’s game in Cincinnati, then felt well enough after two days off to play through lingering soreness Thursday. But it worsened overnight.

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