Chicago Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair's status is considered "50-50" for the team's Opening Day game against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago. LaHair has been dealing with a sore back during spring training, but until recently there was significant optimism that he wouldn't miss any of the regular season.
LaHair, 29, is getting his first legitimate chance to be a starting first baseman in the majors. He didn't played in Chicago's final four Cactus League games, though, so his first full season with the Cubs may not begin on time. The general expectation was that LaHair would keep first base warm while top prospect Anthony Rizzo gets in a few more reps in the minors.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum says that Blake DeWitt, Joe Mather or Jeff Baker would start in LaHair's place on Opening Day if he can't go. It's unlikely that Chicago will need to put LaHair on the disabled list for the back issues, but the continued problems aren't a good thing.
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