Cubs Bring Up Efren Navarro From Iowa After Rizzo Placed on DL

The Chicago Cubs placed first baseman Anthony Rizzo on the 10-day disabled list Monday afternoon, and on Tuesday they announced a corresponding roster move ahead of their home opener.

The team brought up Efren Navarro from Triple-A Iowa, who will wear uniform number 50. Navarro will be available for the Cubs Tuesday afternoon as they play their home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, the team announced.

The return of baseball in Chicago usually means spring is upon us. But this year’s Cubs home opener looks to be a bit different. NBC 5’s Sandra Torres reports.

Rizzo, who has missed the Cubs’ last three games, said he suffered a back injury during the team’s series against the Cincinnati Reds, and the injury flared up when he played Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list with "lower back tightness" Monday, retroactive to Friday.

The 31-year-old Navarro has played parts of five major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers. He has played 87 games at first base and 44 in the outfield.