Rizzo takes ground balls, swings the bat

TORONTO -- Injured first baseman Anthony Rizzo took some ground balls and ripped a few swings in the batting cage at Rogers Centre ahead of the Cubs' series opener against the Blue Jays on Monday.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Rizzo was feeling better Monday after taking a few grounders and some "light hacks," though he was non-committal when asked if Rizzo could return by this weekend.  

"I'll reserve my optimism," Renteria said. "Today is the first day where he's gone out there. He's trying to see how his body is feeling, but I'll just say we'll keep digging it as it comes."

Rizzo has been listed as being out indefinitely after an MRI on Sept. 2 revealed a lower back strain. Renteria said he wants the injury to heal fully before Rizzo's return to the lineup.

"He's one to try and push himself to get back on," Renteria said. "And we all have to be mindful that we're looking to long-term benefits of having him as a position player for us. We're going slow and kind of making sure that if he does happen to get back that he's good to go."

Extra bases
• Renteria said Travis Wood's next start "might" be pushed back a day in favor of going with Jacob Turner. Wood, who'd normally be slated to start Sunday against the Pirates, is coming off a difficult outing against Pittsburgh in which he lasted only 1 2/3 innings and allowed nine hits and seven earned runs.

"We might make an adjustment," Renteria said.

Wood (8-12) has struggled at times this season, and is 1-4 with a 5.54 ERA in his last 10 outings.