Update: Cubs Anthony Rizzo out again with back injury

UPDATE: According to reports, Anthony Rizzo will miss his third straight game due to back tightness.

According to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo‘s back tightness has gotten better and the young slugger is hoping to return to the lineup Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs need to walk the walk this winter after talking the talk
• Alec Mills shocked Cubs fans, baseball world with 2020 no-hitter
• Cubs: After season of adjustments, Seiya Suzuki primed for monster 2023
• Projecting the 2023 Cubs Opening Day lineup
• Cubs: 2022 season a ‘success,’ according to Tom Ricketts

Rizzo, 25, has missed the last two games after tweaking his back against Cincinnati earlier this week. The left-handed-swinging first baseman ranks second in the National League with 30 home runs. He also leads the team with 71 RBIs to go along with his .278/.375/.514 batting line – which exceeds his career averages of .250/.340/.444 in every regard.

“Obviously, going through a swinging motion grabs at it, too,” Rizzo said Thursday. “Hopefully, today it gets a lot better. I don’t think it’s going to get any worse. I’ll just gut through it, worst case.”

He said he had trouble loosening up after the rain delay in Cincinnati on Wednesday and since then, has been on anti-inflammatory medication and has also been undergoing massage treatments.

In his absence, Chris Valaika has handled duties at first base for Ricky Renteria. With the big league club this season, Valaika is batting .184/.212/.265 with one home run and 6 RBIs.