CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- After a rigorous batting practice session Sunday, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has his sights set on being in the lineup when Chicago hosts Milwaukee in its season opener Friday.
Rizzo, 30, has been dealing with a sore back for much of summer camp and has sat out a good deal of work. He wasn't in the lineup as the Cubs hosted the White Sox in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field on Sunday evening.
"Opening Day does mean a lot to me and being the Opening Day starter for the Chicago Cubs as well," Rizzo said. "That is the goal, and how I was moving today, it's definitely going in the right direction of being a reality."
Rizzo added he may been to miss a "couple days early" on so as to minimize the risk of "missing a big chunk," which he defined as 10 to 14 days in a 60-game season. Rizzo also got some work in Saturday.
"I hit a little bit yesterday and took some grounders," Rizzo said Sunday evening. "I kept that on the more easy side. Today, I knew going in would be a big day. Today, I really pushed it. It feels great. I was hitting today with no pain at all. It feels great, and we will see how it feels tomorrow. Monday is a planned recovery day, and we will take it from there."
The Cubs could ease the workload a bit on Rizzo by utilizing him as their designated hitter, which he would be open to if that's what manager David Ross deems best.
"I don't know if he would slot me in the DH with as many candidates we have," Rizzo said. "If I am in there, I will be ready to hit."
Rizzo has experienced back issues as far back as 2014. Even so, he has been durable during his Cubs tenure, playing in at least 140 games in every season since 2013 and 153 or more in five of the past seven seasons.
Rizzo hit .293 with 27 home runs and 94 RBIs in 146 games in 2019.
"He is an excellent leader in the clubhouse," Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber said of Rizzo.
"We saw him going out there and playing with a bad ankle last year for the boys. The guy posts every day. He is going to be out there 150-games plus. He is going to wear 100 off of the arm. He stays in games, and those things he does out on the field are what rub off on people in the clubhouse."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
