The Chicago Cubs Anthony Rizzo left the game yesterday after experiencing ‘mid-back’ tightness. It caught Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon by surprise. Backup catcher Johnathan Lucroy was standing in the area of Maddon and was told to grab a bat because he was hitting for Rizzo.
Lucroy stayed in the game at catcher, and the current backstop Victor Caratini moved to first base for Rizzo. This was a perfect scenario with all things considered. Maddon is operating with a three-man bench to have an extra pitcher available in the bullpen.