LEADING OFF

THINKING BIG:

In their first season since Dexter Fowler’s departure, the Cubs entered Tuesday ranked 24th in the majors with a .306 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot. So on Tuesday night, 240-pound slugger Anthony Rizzo became the seventh Chicago player to start atop the batting order this year — and responded with a leadoff homer against Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler. It was Rizzo’s first career start batting leadoff. But with several teammates struggling at the plate, manager Joe Maddon could give his first baseman more at-bats in that spot this week.

WHO’S ON FIRST?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says rookie slugger Cody Bellinger will see the majority of time at first base with five-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez out indefinitely due to a degenerative disk in his back. “When he comes back, I don’t know,” Roberts said Tuesday, when Gonzalez was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Joc Pederson, just reinstated from the sevenday concussion DL, will play center field with Chris Taylor in left. The 35-year-old Gonzalez was also on the DL last month for the first time in his 14-year career after he tried to play through back and elbow injuries. Bellinger has lived up to advanced billing — he began Tuesday with 15 homers and 35 RBIs in 161 at-bats.

ENCORE:

Minnesota right-hander Ervin Santana (8-3, 2.20 ERA) tries to improve his All-Star credentials today when he faces Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and the visiting Mariners. Santana needed only 91 pitches to throw a four-hitter Friday at San Francisco, his third shutout of the season.