Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo took ground balls today and is expected to be activated on Monday, per a report from MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat. Rizzo has been sidelined since August 26 with a mild lower back strain. Manager Rick Renteria has been cautious with Rizzo and it even appeared as if the first baseman wouldn’t return, but he has progressed well in recent days.
Rizzo, 25, is in the process of a breakout season for the Cubs, hitting .278/.375/.514 with 30 home runs and 71 RBI. Before Rizzo, Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee were the only Cubs to hit 30 homers in a season dating back to 2007. Lee was the last Cub to post a .275/.375/.500 line or better as well. Rizzo joined the Cubs in January 2012 in the Andrew Cashner trade with the Padres.
