(670 The Score) Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo exited in the third inning of the team's game against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon with a right ankle sprain.
Rizzo suffered the injury when he rolled his ankle running in to field a bunt, and he had to be helped off the field. An initial X-ray revealed no fracture, the team said. Rizzo will have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the ligament damage.
"On the field, he was in some pretty good pain," manager Joe Maddon said postgame. "You knew he was coming out of the game. Such an awkward way he fell. This is no different than (Christian) Yelich being lost to the Brewers. Stuff happens. We will keep moving it forward. There is a potential it will not be that long. We will remain optimistic and see what they say tomorrow."
#Cubs worst nightmare. Anthony Rizzo leaves the game after turning his ankle badly running in to field a bunt. In serious pain and helped off the field @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/USMR9w5Bch
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) September 15, 2019Ian Happ replaced him at first base.
Rizzo entered the day hitting .289 with 26 homers and 93 RBIs. He was recently shifted to the leadoff spot, a move that helped spark the Cubs' offense.
The Cubs have dealt with injuries to some key players for some time now. Star shortstop Javier Baez is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a fractured thumb, and closer Craig Kimbrel remains out with elbow inflammation.
"We have to have that attitude that we can do well when he is out," third baseman Kris Bryant said of Rizzo's injury. "Anthony is in good spirits. Hopefully, we can get him back soon. We are going to need him. We don't know how long it is going to be."
