Anthony Rizzo Isn’t Ruling Out Opening Day, But He Knows How to Be Smart

Anthony Rizzo provided a little more context for his back injury, and why it is – or isn’t – more concerning than his usual annual lower-back stiffness/spasms.

On the bright side, Rizzo isn’t ruling out Opening Day, but he also knows the importance of making sure he doesn’t wind up losing 30 games because he tried to push too hard for one specific game: “We’re kind of just getting this calmed down and I’ll get back out there as fast as I can,” he said, per Cubs.com. “I’ve managed through a lot, but we’re going to take it day to day. I’d rather miss a couple games early, if necessary, than a big chunk.”

Rizzo still feels like this is not that unusual compared to years past, where he and the training staff have managed to get him out there for 150+. The slight difference is that he was still feeling off after his live BP session on Sunday, which is why he shut things back down for a bit. Even still, he said yesterday that he was feeling better than on Monday/Tuesday.

Ideally, you’d see Rizzo in a position to try out some live BP again maybe this weekend, and then get into at least a couple of the upcoming preseason games against the White Sox and Twins. Rizzo has shown an unbelievable ability to play very well through injury, but it’s not like you want him to have to start doing that right out of the gate.