Montero, Rizzo injuries not expected to be serious
The Cubs suffered a pair of minor injury scares Wednesday in their 7-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
Catcher Miguel Montero limped off the field in the top of the sixth inning, when his right knee popped. First baseman Anthon Rizzo exited in the seventh, when his back tightened.
Rizzo and manager Joe Maddon say Rizzo should be fine. It's possible he'll rest during Thursday night's series opener at Miami.
"It's just one of those things," Rizzo said. "I think if it wasn't 7-0 there, I would have stayed in the game. We'll see how it feels."
Montero's injury looked more severe at first, but he was able to walk it off on the way back to the clubhouse.
"That's my knee that I had issues with in the past," he said. "I wear a knee brace on it. I just felt a little pop on it. It was a little sore at first. I knew it was going to be fine because as soon as I stretched my leg, there was no pain whatsoever."
Manager Joe Maddon said he didn't "anticipate anything wrong" with Montero for Thursday. With Jon Lester starting for the Cubs against the Marlins, David Ross will get the start behind the plate.
Still getting support:
The Cubs continue to lead National League all-star balloting at each infield position, and injured center fielder Dexter Fowler tops all outfielders.
The latest results in fan balloting for the July 12 All-Star Game at San Diego show the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo leading at first base, Ben Zobrist at second, Kris Bryant at third and Addison Russell at shortstop. Fowler is ahead of Washington's Bryce Harper and the Mets' Yoenis Cespedes for the three starting outfield spots.
The Cubs also are likely to place pitchers on the NL all-star team as well, with Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester being the prime candidates to be chosen by NL manager Terry Collins and "player ballot" choices.
Joe Maddon said he believes there's more to being an all-star than just the honor.
"I'm happy for our guys, man," Maddon said. "I think it's great. It's great for the organization. It's great for our players because it will elevate their game. I believe that. So I think it's exciting for everybody. It's exciting for our group. It's exciting for our players, Cubs fans, the city. You have to believe the ratings will be up in Chicago on that particular night. I know I will be watching. If I'm happy for anything, I'm happy for the players themselves."
No shortage of fun:
The Cubs headed for Miami after Wednesday's game, and it's another clothing-themed road trip.
"It's the Anthony Rizzo, 'Who wears short shorts trip,'" Joe Maddon said. "He was the motivation. The last time, we did it with the full suits, and he wore the shorts. I thought going to Miami, that's a perfect opportunity to bring it on back in a shorter version. I wore it in today. It was very comfortable, extremely comfortable. We'll see how it all plays out."
Maddon added there is only one rule for the trip.
"If you're wearing sandals, you have to have painted toenails," he said.