The San Diego Padres will call up Anthony Rizzo, their first baseman of the future from AAA Tucson on Thursday, as reported by Dan Hayes:
Team source: Anthony Rizzo will be in #Padres starting lineup on Thurs vs. #Nationals. #MLB
Rizzo, Casey Kelly and Reymond Fuentes were acquired in the trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox. He was ranked the number 75 prospect by Baseball America at the beginning of the season.
Rizzo re-aggravated a hand bruise after it hit the umpire's chest protector in the same game that saw Brett Lawrie get injured. This was only a temporary set-back to an imminent call-up. Rizzo was sent to San Diego to have the team doctor look at his hand today and will apparently stay with the teamaafter the appointment.
Rizzo is also a cancer survivor, undergoing chemotherapy treatments for six months in 2008 for Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment was successful, as the cancer went into remission and Rizzo picked up right where he left off. The Red Sox played it carefully with him, sending him back to Class-A Greenville in 2009. He excelled there and has moved up quickly since then, spending no more than 107 games in any one level.
Brad Hawpe will move to right field as Rizzo takes over the starting first baseman role.