Back issues hinder deGrom, Rizzo

Opening day is next week, and there is some unease for New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom and Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo because of back issues. It looks as if Yankees star Aaron Judge is feeling much better.

Judge homered off James Paxton when the slugger returned the New York Yankees’ intrasquad lineup after missing five days due to a stiff neck.

The Mets sent deGrom for an MRI after the righthander pitched just one inning in a summer camp appearance due to back tightness. The test showed nothing to be concerned about, according to a person familiar with the situation.

An MRI of Rizzo Tuesday showed rib-head inflammation on his left side that is causing back spasms — a condition he has dealt with before in his career. “Frustrating, just because how physically in shape I felt like I was coming in,” he said. “Just can’t control the flareups.”

Pirates

Right fielder Gregory Polanco has missed workouts at PNC Park for two days in a row. Manager Derek Shelton confirmed after an intrasquad game Wednesday night that Polanco had was not in camp, but declined to give a reason for his absence.

Reds

Cincinnati hopes its longrunning search for a consistent leadoff hitter comes to an end with Shogo Akiyama. The first Japanese-born player in franchise history signed a three-year, $21 million deal in the offseason and is part of an extensive overhaul. Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos, Wade Miley and Pedro Strop also were added to end a streak of six losing seasons.

Athletics

Oakland’s Tony Kemp — in the wake of George Floyd’s killing under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin — said he will bring protest back to baseball and he won’t stand alone. The Players Alliance plans to perform a protest of their choosing on opening day.

Red Sox

Boston placed left-handers Eduardo Rodriguez, Josh Taylor, and Darwinzon Hernandez on the injured list while they recover from COVID-19. Rodriguez won 19 games last year.

Astros

Manager Dusty Baker doesn’t expect reliever Joe Smith to play for Houston this season. Smith has not reported to camp because of what general manager James Click called concerns for the safety of his family.

Smith was placed on the restricted list.

Twins

Miguel Sano rejoined the team after successfully completing coronavirus protocols. Sano, who tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Minneapolis two weeks ago, has tested negative twice since then and was cleared to take part in camp.

Rangers

Willie Calhoun is expected to miss the start of the season because of a hip strain, a setback for the left fielder who was ready to play after recovering from a broken jaw in a spring training game four months ago.