Chicago Cubs stars Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo were not in the starting lineup on Thursday for Chicago’s tilt against the Cincinnati Reds as rumors continue to swirl that they will be moved at the MLB trade deadline.
Cubs manager David Ross said, at the time, that no one had been traded, according to ESPN’s David Ross.
“I had this earmarked for Rizz for a while now,” Ross had said before the Cubs kicked off their series finale against the Reds. “First off-day after the all-star break. That was normal.”
“Looking at the length of the game last night and KB (Bryant) all over the place, and issues with his legs, just made some sense to me.”
Ross was asked if keeping Bryant and Rizzo out of the lineup was trade related.
“They are not,” Ross said. “They are available off the bench. They’ll get a nice round of applause, I’m sure, when they get in there — if they get in there — to pinch hit. Everyone can hate me or blame me but we have to take care of these guys. Nobody has been traded yet, let’s keep our heads about us.”
“I’ve talked to both of them,” Ross said. “They know the situation; it could be their last home game and all that. Everyone is fine with what’s going on.”
