Back stiffness sidelines Chicago Cubs' Rizzo

Saturday's 15-inning marathon took a toll on the Chicago Cubs' bullpen, and it also took first baseman Anthony Rizzo out of the starting lineup Sunday for the first time this season.

Before the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, Rizzo let manager Joe Maddon know his back wasn't feeling right.

"He came in and tried to get loosened up, but it wasn't working as well as he wanted to," Maddon said.

Rizzo has had back issues in past seasons, but the hope is the first baseman will benefit from Monday's off-day and be ready to go Tuesday when the Cubs open a three-game series at Cincinnati.

"It's not like a surprise to anybody," Maddon said. "The first time you hear it, it's a little bit more stressful thinking it might be something more serious. But this seems like it's the stuff that's happened before."

Descalso sighting:

Limited to pinch-hitting duty since injuring his left ankle running the bases in a May 4 game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Daniel Descalso was back in the Cubs' starting lineup Sunday night against the Brewers.

Descalso made his 22nd start of the season at second base.

"I think I had a couple good at-bats off the bench," Descalso said of his recovery period. "Lined out a couple of times, so I think I'm right where I need to be."

Change suits Chatwood:

A failed starter last season, Tyler Chatwood is making an impact out of the bullpen in his second year with the Cubs.

"This guy can definitely fit in the latter part of the game on a regular basis," manager Joe Maddon said.

Chatwood did make 1 start this season, but his other 9 appearances have been in relief. That includes Saturday against Milwaukee, when the 29-year-old righty had 7 strikeouts over 4 scoreless innings.

Chatwood is unscored upon in six of his last seven stints out of the bullpen.

"He's getting to the point now where I think he's starting to like it," Maddon said. "He still wants to be a starter, I get that, but I think he's liking his role of coning in and being a variable more often.

"He knows he can get anybody out with his stuff. He knows that. His stuff is high end, man. It's as good as it gets."