UPDATE: Anthony Rizzo injured in Cubs’ 1-0 loss to Astros

Houston Astros first baseman Brett Wallace (29) comes down on Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo (44) after reaching high for the ball in the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Houston. Rizzo went down and was helped from the field. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Updated: October 14, 2012 1:53PM

HOUSTON -- The Cubs’ top rookie in this year of auditions and distant-future dreaming, already seemed nearly back to normal Wednesday after a scary collision and fall in Tuesday’s game. And manager Dale Sveum said he expects Anthony Rizzo back at first base on Friday when the Cubs open a 10-game homestand.

Rizzo said he felt much better and hoped to keep that schedule.

“He’s just sore on the right side, but everything else checks out good,”

Sveum said. “No head problems, no leg problems. . He swung pretty normal

in the cage, and we’ll probably be able to use him to pinch-hit

[Wednesday].”

That seemed impossible for at least a few frightening minutes Tuesday night

after Rizzo collided with Houston first-baseman Brett Wallace and tumbled

into foul territory - his 240-pound frame landing shoulder-first in the

dirt.

He lay on the ground, tended by medical staff, for more than a minute

before eventually leaving under his own power.

“That looked like it was going to be a pretty major injury right when it

happened, even watching the replay,” Sveum said. “There was a lot of

things flying around, a big body hitting the ground. I think we’re very

fortunate. We got away with that one.”

Rizzo, who was recalled from AAA Iowa the final week of June, ranks third

among National League rookies with a .293 batting average and fifth with 12

home runs. He’s fourth in both on-base percentage (.346) and slugging

(.464).

Rookie catcher Anthony Recker, who played 25 games at first base in the

minors last year, started at first Wednesday.

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