Chicago Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair won't be in the lineup when the team faces the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday due to a sore back, but ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla reports that the team still expects him to play on Opening Day. LaHair also didn't play in Chicago's previous game against L.A. on Saturday.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum spoke to reporters about LaHair's status earlier in the day:
He’s much better today and probably could have played. His back is better. It just got stiff and locked up. He had some discomfort down the leg so there is obviously something there with a nerve or whatever but today he was much better. Hopefully we’ll have him in there tomorrow, but if not the last day.
Padilla says that the first baseman is still expected to get into Cactus League play again before Opening Day on Thursday against the Washington Nationals. The obvious alternative to LaHair would be top prospect Anthony Rizzo, who was recently optioned to Triple-A to begin the season.
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