Cubs News: Hamstring injury set to keep Strop out for several weeks


by - Senior Writer -

CHICAGO — Unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs, reliever Pedro Strop, who has served as the Cubs' closer since mid-July, will miss at least the remainder of the regular season after suffering a moderate left hamstring strain in the Cubs' victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

Left in the game to bat with the Cubs leading by one run in the top of the 10th, Strop tweaked his hamstring hustling down the line in a futile attempt at beating out a throw to prevent a double play. Coming up lame just as he passed the bag, Strop was pulled from the game having pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.

An MRI on Friday revealed that Strop's hamstring injury was serious enough to keep him out for the rest of the regular season. As far as the postseason, the availability of Strop is up in the air at this point.

Speaking about Strop to the media, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said, "He's been so big for us now. To be without him for the next couple weeks will be difficult."

Strop, who sports a 2.26 ERA, has accrued 13 saves and 57 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched this season. He has filled in admirably for primary closer Brandon Morrow, who was been out due to injury for approximately two months now.

For a bullpen that has dealt with a slew of injuries and put in a lot of work this year, the Cubs' relief unit could be in trouble if Strop is unable to give it a go for the remainder of the 2018 slate.

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