(670 The Score) Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has avoided the worst-case scenario with his ankle injury, but his availability for the remainder of the season is in doubt.
An MRI confirmed that Rizzo has a moderate lateral sprain in his right ankle and that he won't need surgery, the team said Monday. Rizzo will be in a boot for the next five to seven days, after which he'll be re-evaluated and the Cubs will know more about a timeline for a potential return. The Cubs have two weeks remaining in the regular season and sit in the second wild-card spot in the National League.
Rizzo held out hope that he could still return -- a scenario that seems unlikely in the regular season but more feasible should the Cubs reach the playoffs.
"My body usually responds pretty well, so I'm certainly not ruling it out," Rizzo said. "I have every intention of trying to do everything I can with the training staff to get back on the field with the boys. I think a few days will really tell us a lot more just about how everything reacts. But as of now, it doesn't feel great.
"I want to play as soon as possible."
Rizzo suffered the injury when he rolled his ankle running in to field a bunt against the Pirates on Sunday, and he had to be helped off the field.
"To miss any time now sucks, but it could be worse," Rizzo said. "I'm grateful it's not any worse."
Rizzo is hitting .289 with 26 homers, 93 RBIs and a .920 OPS in 140 games this season. He's been durable in his Cubs career, playing at least 153 games in five of the past six seasons.
Victor Caratini will replace Rizzo at first base when the Cubs host the Reds on Monday evening. Ben Zobrist will return to the leadoff spot in the order, a role Rizzo had filled well in helping spark the Cubs' offense recently.
"We have to have that attitude that we can do well when he is out," third baseman Kris Bryant said of Rizzo's injury.
