Anthony Rizzo returned to the Cubs lineup Saturday after missing five games because of mid-back tightness.
Jonathan Lucroy pinch-hit for Rizzo during the fifth inning of last Saturday’s game against the Nationals and the Cubs first baseman hadn’t played since. Rizzo said his back “grabbed” him while he was running. To get better, Rizzo said he underwent a lot of treatment and stretching over the past few days.
“Got it to just calm down, and hope to have fun the next month,” Rizzo said.
Back ailments have become a recurring issue for Rizzo, who missed for games in May and also went on the injured list in the spring of 2018 with low-back tightness.
Manager Joe Maddon said he traded texts with Rizzo, who relayed that he wanted to get back into the lineup Saturday. Rizzo swung a lot Friday and felt good Saturday, which Maddon called a “big litmus test.”
“I made sure that we communicated this morning… he was good to go,” Maddon said. “So, we’ll see how it plays out.”
It’s that day…
Sunday is Sept. 1, which means rosters will expand. Ben Zobrist is expected to be one of a handful of players to coming to the Cubs, and Maddon speculated it could be five or six additions.
In the past, Maddon hasn’t seemed like the biggest fan of the September roster inflations. But on Saturday, his tone softened somewhat.
“I’m not (a fan), but then again when you need it it’s kind of interesting to have,” Maddon said. “My biggest concern this time of the year is when you get in a bad game, being able to get your guys off their feet. Or even a real good game.
“It’s always about rest,” Maddon added. “I always consider that, so when you have enough guys on the bench that you can get out all the pertinent players, otherwise during the regular season I’ve got to make choices regarding who needs that extra moment.”
The glut of players also allows managers to play matchups even more, or insert a player for a timely stolen base. Maddon also likes having extra catchers and the ability to pinch-hit freely.
Next year, however, things will change. The regular roster will rise to 26 players, and from Sept. 1 on teams will carry 28 players. Unsurprisingly, Maddon endorsed alterations, though he didn’t know what they’d be.
Slamming the bat
After launching his second-inning home run Friday, Nicholas Castellanos slammed his bat into the ground with both hands. The Brewers had a problem with the moment, but it wasn’t anything Castellanos did.
“Hitters are going to do what they’re going to do,” Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson told reporters Friday. “You make better pitches and you get them out, they don’t do that stuff.”
Maddon didn’t have an issue, either.
“He reacts to the moment,” Maddon said. “He’s always got these visceral reactions that I really enjoy, and I think the players, the rest of the team feels it.”
Contreras update
Willson Conteras (hamstring) began his rehab stint Friday night at Class AAA Iowa, going 0 for 1 with a run scored. Iowa also clinched its first playoff berth since 2008 with a 5-1 win over Memphis.
