CHICAGO -- The Cubs kept Anthony Rizzo in a controlled environment on Sunday, having him hit during a live batting practice session rather than play in the evening intrasquad game at Wrigley Field. It was a way to let the first baseman test his back following a bout with tightness.

Cubs manager David Ross monitored Rizzo's workout, which included hitting in the cage, taking BP and then facing live pitching from righty Colin Rea. Ross said Rizzo came through the effort fine and noted that a few swings and misses were good indicators that the first baseman was feeling improved.

"He looked good today. No back issues," Ross said on Sunday. "I think the main thing we have to do is see how he reacts when he cools down, goes home and get feedback from him working into tomorrow. So, it's really just a day to day. But, good things from today's work."

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When the season arrives, Rizzo projects to be Chicago's second hitter behind leadoff man Kris Bryant. Ross likes the first baseman's blend of power, patience and bat control in that No. 2 slot. Last season, Rizzo had 27 homers, 71 walks, 94 RBIs and a .924 OPS in 146 games for the Cubs.

In a Zoom call with reporters on Saturday, Cubs hitting coach Anthony Iapoce laughed when asked if Rizzo -- who lost 25 pounds during the three-month break between Spring Training and Summer Camp -- would still have the same power in his swing.

"Oh, it’s still there," Iapoce said. "Skinny Rizz, Big Rizz, Strong Rizz, Bad-Ankle Rizz, he's still got power. Until he tells you he doesn't and the Monstars from 'Space Jam' took it."

Lester sharp in game debut

Veteran left-hander Jon Lester adopted a conservative throwing program over the past three months, arriving to Summer Camp slightly behind the rest of the rotation in terms of how many innings he could handle out of the chute.

On Sunday night, Lester took a step forward with 2 1/3 solid innings in an intrasquad appearance. The lefty struck out four, issued no walks and the lone hit he allowed was an infield chopper back to the mound by Nico Hoerner. Lester gloved the ball, but opted not to throw to first.

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"I feel like I'm in a good place," Lester said on Saturday. "You get on that five-day schedule, then it's just a matter of going out there and getting your reps and getting it kind to more or less showing up for those days. And I think everything will be good to go."

Worth noting

• Ross said Sunday that he has been impressed with how second baseman Jason Kipnis (non-roster) has looked throughout Summer Camp and in intrasquad games. The manager noted that Kipnis is "definitely moving better than he was in Spring Training" defensively.

"Kip's looked really good," Ross said. "I've been really pleased with his at-bats. He's swung the bat really well. I'm super excited about some of his baserunning moments already in some games -- first to third, really pushing the envelope, looks in midseason form.

• The Cubs had their catchers call balls and strikes in Sunday's intrasquad game, but had mental skills coordinator John Baker (a former catcher) serving as the umpire in the previous two games. Going forward, Ross said MLB umpire Tony Randazzo (a Chicago native) will be helping out.

"We're excited about getting real umpires in here," Ross said. "Bake's been doing a great job for us, but every chance we get an opportunity to turn up the dial and make it as game-like as possible, the better."

• Bullpen candidates Casey Sadler and Duane Underwood Jr. were among the arms to work on Sunday, and both turned in impressive two-inning outings. Sadler started opposite Lester and struck out five of the final six batters he faced after opening with two walks. Underwood struck out six and walked one across the fifth and sixth.

• The Cubs put the speedy Ian Miller on second base to start the fourth inning on Sunday night, simulating the 2020 extra-inning rules. The team wearing the home whites eked across a run, with Miller eventually scoring on a bases-loaded walk by Kipnis.

Quotable

"It's going to be a quick start, obviously. A short sprint. Everybody knows that. But, it's going to be new and exciting and, when they hit play, you're in the middle of the hunt, you know? It's almost like a college season crammed into 66 days. I think it's exciting. I think the advantages for us would be a group that knows each other, has been around each other a lot. You're not worrying about relationship building in the middle of all this. These guys have background with each other. They've done special things with each other. So, that's a big bonus for us." --Ross