Cubs' Rizzo ready to return, cold and snow await

First baseman Anthony Rizzo will be activated from the 10-day disabled list and in the lineup on Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

But manager Joe Maddon said the Chicago Cubs are planning to be careful with Rizzo in the cold -- and even snow -- forecast for Monday night's series opener at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo was placed on the DL last week with back discomfort, a malady Rizzo blamed on subpar sleeping conditions at the team hotel in Cincinnati. Rizzo vowed to sleep on the floor for future road trips to Cincinnati.

"If he's ready to roll, we'll probably play him, I would imagine, but probably watch him," Maddon said. " Anthony coming back in, [I'll ask him] in the fifth inning, 'How are you doing?' Does he need to be brought back in slowly? I'm not sure. So we'll just play that by ear."

Infielder Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Rizzo on the 25-man roster after Maddon determined Sunday that Rizzo was ready. Maddon said he observed Rizzo's gym workout to make sure he was primed to play every day.

"He looks fine," Maddon said. "I try to trust the guys. I do trust the guys. I ask them questions. When the guys are honest with you, it makes the decision-making so much easier. Mind reading is really difficult."

The Cardinals ride into Chicago fresh off of a four-game sweep of the Reds.

--Field Level Media