Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo must wear a boot five to seven days to immobilize a moderate lateral right ankle sprain and then be re-evaluated, the team announced Monday.
“I have every intention of doing everything I can, with the training staff, to be back on the field with the boys,” Rizzo told reporters before the host Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-2 on Monday night. “I think in a few days, really, will tell us a lot more.”
X-rays didn’t reveal a fracture, so surgery is not required. Rizzo, who also underwent an MRI, suffered the injury in the top of the third inning of Sunday’s victory over the Pirates. His ankle turned while charging a bunt attempt by Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams. He fell to the ground after making the play, and was replaced at first base by Ian Happ.
“On the field, he was in some pretty good pain. You knew he was coming out of the game,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Sunday. “We’ll wait and see how it plays out. There’s the potential that it’s not going to be that long.”
Rizzo, 30, is batting .289 with 26 homers and a team-best 93 RBIs. The Cubs’ win on Monday kept them within two games of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. Chicago also remained one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL’s second wild-card berth.
