Cubs: Anthony Rizzo’s back injuries leak into Monday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is set to miss Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers as he deals with a back issue.

The Cubs will have to start the series against the Brewers on Monday without first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Rizzo had to leave Sunday’s loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles with lower back tightness. The issue has lingered and will keep the first baseman out for at least one game.

Kris Bryant will get the start on first base with Ian Happ starting in center field.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com suggested Rizzo could be “potentially available off the bench” for the Cubs, so it doesn’t look like there’s a great deal of concern around the back problem.

Rizzo is batting .248/.344/.442 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI this year.

The Cubs are also giving catcher Willson Contreras a planned day off for rest.

Anthony Rizzo is receiving treatment for back tightness

Rizzo was 0-for-2 on Sunday before leaving the game in the fourth inning. By then, the Dodgers already had complete control of the outing, which they went on to win 7-1.

It was a difficult series for the Cubs, especially since it started so promising. Chicago posted a combined no-hitter in the first game. However, the series quickly turned in LA’s favor as the Dodgers won the next three games. Two of those wins were comfortable, while one ended with a walk-off.

With Rizzo, Contreras and Patrick Wisdom out of the lineup for the first game, the Brewers could view this as an opportunity to extend their lead in the NL Central. They have a three-game lead on the Cubs in second place. While Chicago has lost three straight, Milwaukee is enjoying a five-game winning streak. In two series with the Rockies and one with the Diamondbacks, the Brewers won seven of 10 games.