Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Padres at Wrigley Field. He had missed six straight games with back tightness.
“He feels good,” Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said before the game Tuesday. “Was begging for an at-bat yesterday during the game, so that's always a good sign.”
Rizzo’s bat was hot just before being sidelined for almost a week. In his last 10 games, Rizzo went 13-for 37 (.351). He’s penciled in batting third on Tuesday.
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As for whether Rizzo, who has a history of back problems, is in the clear for the foreseeable future, Ross declined to speculate.
“Rizz has established himself as an everyday player through his career, as long as he's healthy and feeling good,” Ross said. “We'll listen to that, let him play. If there's days where (his back is) barking, I'm going to talk to him. If I see body language, or it feels like he can’t get down and get ground balls or get off his ‘A’ swing, we’ll monitor that.”
Kris Bryant had been filling in for Rizzo at first base. So, with Rizzo back Tuesday, Bryant moves to right field. Patrick Wisdom, who went 3-for-4 with two home runs on Monday, remains at third base.
Sergio Alcántara makes his first start as a Cub at second base. The team called him up from Triple-A Iowa over the weekend when infielder David Bote (dislocated left shoulder) went on the 10-day injured list. Alcántara, 24, hit a double in his second major-league at-bat of the season.
