CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- While first baseman Anthony Rizzo hasn't officially been ruled out for remainder of the regular season with his right ankle injury, the Cubs will have to approach and operate in the final 13 games as if they won't have the heart and soul of the franchise.
As they move forward, manager Joe Maddon will do what he often does -- directing his players' attention to controlling what they can and not worrying about what they can't.
"Sometimes you take players like (Rizzo) for granted," Maddon said. "You see the nice comfy chair in the corner, and you take it for granted. He is a bedrock. He will be missed."
The Cubs will primarily count on Ian Happ and Victor Caratini to fill Rizzo's void, though no one can replace what he brings to the team each and every day with his professional hitting and superlative defense.
"We believe in the group that will be out there every night," Maddon said. "When you grow up in the minor leagues, this stuff (injuries and players moving up the chain) happens all the time. When it does occur, you are taught to not make excuses all the time. I do believe there are galvanizing moments when you do lose key people in situations. It's about the rest of the group to keep on doing what they have been doing."
Rizzo's absence comes as star shortstop Javier Baez is expected to miss the rest of the regular season due to a thumb fracture that has sidelined him since Sept. 1. Of course, the Cubs aren't the only playoff contender dealing with injuries. The Brewers recently lost reigning MVP Christian Yelich to a season-ending knee injury. Entering play Monday, they have won four of five games since Yelich went down.
"Injuries are a part of the game," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. "You always know you are one play away from being without someone. That is where the depth comes in and where people stepping up becomes really important. We will continue that process of other players stepping forward."
The Cubs know it will take a group effort to make up for the absence of Rizzo and Baez at the same time amid a playoff race that saw them sitting two games back of the NL Central-leading Cardinals entering Monday.
"You are not going to make that up with one player," veteran infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist said. "You must make it up with a couple of players doing their best. Everybody steps up in that situation and hopefully does what we are capable of doing. This is a tough blow, but he will be there right with us cheering us on. He will be there at every turn. He is a big part of this clubhouse."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
