CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- After being plagued by back tightness for the past couple weeks, returning to game action Wednesday was just what Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo needed two days before the start of the regular season.
Rizzo homered in his first at-bat as the Cubs beat the Twins, 4-3, in their exhibition finale at Wrigley Field. It also marked the return of Rizzo, who missed the team's other two exhibition games as he worked to recover from a back ailment that had kept his out of many workouts recently.
Rizzo hit his blast off Twins right-hander Homer Bailey and later hit an opposite-field single.
"You see the example he sets in the lineup and his leadership skills and timely at-bats he produces for this group," manager David Ross said of Rizzo before the game.
As Rizzo returned, star third baseman Kris Bryant sat out with some back tightness of his own. Ross was unconcerned about Bryant's health status, pointing out he would've played Wednesday if it was a meaningful game.
Ross expects both Rizzo and Bryant to be in the Cubs' lineup when they host the Brewers in their opener Friday. And in a short 60-game season, Ross understands it will be vital to have Rizzo and available every day.
"You are always impacted when you lose the guys in the heart of the lineup," Ross said.
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who will start in the Cubs' opener, echoed that refrain while expressing confidence in anyone the team plugs into the lineup.
"They are both one-of-a-kind players with what they bring, not only on the field but off as teammates," Hendricks said. "The depth and the next-player-up mentality is as good as it can be here."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
