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Anthony Rizzo Makes Cubs Debut Tuesday

Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo singles against the Texas Rangers at HoHoKam Park. Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE
Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo singles against the Texas Rangers at HoHoKam Park. Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

Rumors flew all weekend, and now it is official -- Anthony Rizzo will join the Cubs on Tuesday at Wrigley Field, according to Paul Sullivan:

Anthony Rizzo, the Chicago Cubs' top prospect, will make his debut Tuesday night against the New York Mets, a source confirmed.

Rizzo was removed from Iowa's game in the fourth inning on Monday, and will fly to Chicago tonight. He won't be activated until Tuesday, when the Cubs will make a corresponding roster move.

Now you can go ahead and start the speculation about who will be removed from the roster; my guess would be Jeff Baker, because Joe Mather could back up Rizzo at first base -- I'm assuming Rizzo will not be platooned as Bryan LaHair has been, and Mather would be strictly a backup. Baker seems to have no other function on this team, and is not having a good year. For LaHair's part, he's off to play a corner outfield spot, or perhaps be traded.

Meanwhile, Rizzo is demolishing Triple-A pitching; entering Monday's game he was hitting .345/.408/.702 with 23 home runs in 69 games -- compare that to last year at Triple-A Tucson, where he hit 26 homers in 93 games. Clearly, he's ready. Let the circus commence.