Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo departed Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a sprained right ankle.
The team said X-rays didn’t reveal a fracture. Rizzo is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine the severity.
Rizzo was injured when he charged to field a bunt single off the bat of Pittsburgh pitcher Trevor Williams in the third inning. His ankle rolled in an unsightly manner just prior to gloving the bunt and he dropped to the grass in obvious pain after throwing the ball to first.
The 30-year-old Rizzo was eventually helped to his feet and outfielder Jason Heyward and a member of the team’s medical crew helped him get to the dugout.
Ian Happ replaced Rizzo at first base.
Rizzo is batting .289 with 26 homers and a team-best 93 RBIs.
The injury to Rizzo comes at a time in which another key offensive cog, shortstop Javier Baez, is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.
Also, the Cubs placed shortstop Addison Russell on the seven-day concussion list. The 25-year-old hasn’t played since being hit in the head by a pitch on Sept. 8. Russell is batting .227 with nine homers and 23 RBIs.
