Clock ticks on Rizzo’s return from ‘frustrating’ back injury
Time is running out for Anthony Rizzo to be ready for the Chicago Cubs season opener July 24 against the National League Central rival Brewers.
“It’s frustrating,” Rizzo said Wednesday in a conference call after an MRI confirmed the Cubs first baseman is experiencing rib head swelling on his left side that has created back spasms.
“I was (physically) in shape coming in (to summer training). I just can’t control the flare-ups. The MRI confirmed what we knew, so it’s just got to calm down and get back out there as fast as I can.”
Rizzo’s history of back stiffness, which dates to 2014, raises the issue of whether it would be better for him to start the season on the injured list to ensure all the discomfort has dissipated.
“It’s still too early to make that decision,” manager David Ross said. “Anthony is a seasoned veteran, been around a long time, knows his body, knows what it takes to get ready.
“I’ll talk to him and our training staff. It’s a daily dialogue that we have. We’re not going to rush to that decision yet. He’s a big part of our life, a big part of this team, so I’ll rely on him and the training staff and then make that decision.”
Rizzo, who has missed more than a week, took an aggressive round of live batting practice Sunday but felt recurring stiffness. He has since been relegated to tracking pitches in the bullpen and receiving treatment.
His frustration has grown because he lost 25 pounds during the shutdown and has kept the same maintenance program that has allowed him to tolerate minor discomfort.
However, “anyone who’s had a back (ailment) knows that you can’t really control it when (the tightness) comes and goes, but we’ve pretty much done a good job,” Rizzo said. “Every once in a while I’ll be out with a stiff back, but I don’t think I’ve ever missed significant time due to it. So I’ll just keep staying on top of it, which we do, and stick to protocol.”
Backup catcher Victor Caratini and third baseman Kris Bryant, who both worked out at first base before Wednesday’s intrasquad game, are the top candidates to replace Rizzo if he’s sidelined when the season starts. Caratini started at first base Wednesday.
Rizzo is aware there won’t be any time for rest once the 60-game season starts. The Cubs are scheduled to play 17 consecutive games before their first day off.
“Ross and I will talk a lot and be smart because missing one or two games is a lot better than missing 10 or 15,” Rizzo said.
Rizzo missed eight games in April 2018 because of back problems, but he has a high pain threshold. That was evident last September when he suffered a moderate right ankle sprain that caused his foot to become severely swollen and discolored.
He was supposed to keep the foot in a boot for at least a week, but thanks to constant treatment, Rizzo returned in four days and homered in his second at-bat against Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty.
“We know how important every game is,” Rizzo said of the 60-game season, “so I’m going to push to get back as fast as I can and take the risk because the reward of being with the guys and playing alongside of them is worth it for me.”
Rizzo said he has compensated for discomfort in the past and believes the worst is over for now.
“I’m past the severe pain part and not at the nothing stage but on the good side,” he said.
Rizzo has played in at least 153 games in all but two of his seven major-league seasons, but that number has declined steadily from his career high of 160 games in 2015 to 146 in 2019.
The implementation of the designated hitter gives Rizzo and the Cubs an option if he’s at least able to swing pain-free.
Ross said any potential replacements at first base would be dictated by matchups, with the switch-hitting Caratini likely getting the first shot. If Bryant moves to first base, David Bote would take over at third, Ross said.
“We’ve got options all over the place for matchup purposes,” Ross said.