Anthony Rizzo Reportedly Exits Cubs Game vs Nationals With Back Tightness
By Parker White
As if the Cubs needed any more adversity.
During Saturday's game between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo left the game early with what has been diagnosed as mid-back tightness.
A Cubs official says that Anthony Rizzo exited today's game with mid-back tightness.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) August 24, 2019
Backup catcher Jonathan Lucroy pinch-hit for Rizzo and actually drove in a run with a double. Lucroy stayed in the game behind the plate, moving catcher Victor Caratini from behind the plate to first base.
Rizzo was already having a tough night, as he was hitless at the plate, had a throwing error and dropped a strike from Javy Baez for Chicago's second mishap of the game.
Anthony Rizzo's back is acting up again. #Cubshttps://t.co/TwqXxRKeKX
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) August 24, 2019
The Cubs are already short-handed on the bench Saturday, as pinch-hitter Ian Happ was ejected and now that Lucroy is staying in the game, they only have infielder Addison Russell left.
Despite a rough afternoon, Rizzo has been a model of consistency for the Cubs, as he came into the game slashing .291/.402/.527 with 25 home runs and 82 RBI.