Cubs News: Positive injury news regarding Morrow |
CHICAGO — In the wake of the unfortunate base-running injury suffered by reliever
Pedro Strop, there is positive injury news regarding another Chicago Cubs reliever that could help make up for the absence of Strop. Out since mid-July due to a bone bruise in his pitching elbow,
Brandon Morrow threw off the mound at Wrigley Field in warm-ups on Saturday and fared well.
Throwing 19 pitches to batters who stood at the plate but did not swing, Morrow pitched from the bump for the first time since going on the disabled list. Morrow has also recorded two bullpen sessions in that span, and he now seems to be ready for live action. "You've got to evaluate what you're seeing," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said to reporters when discussing Morrow's warm-up session. "The other guys have been pitching for a bit. He has not. The hitters will tell you if he's ready or not." Likely to be activated from the disabled list in the coming days, Morrow should be expected to serve as an occasional middle reliever for a little while before reclaiming his position as the Cubs' regular closer. Strop took on Morrow's closing duties over the course of the past few months, so, with Strop likely out for the rest of the regular season, Morrow's imminent return is ideal for Chicago. "I will throw in whatever inning Joe (Maddon) puts me in," Morrow told the media when speaking on how he expects to be used out of the bullpen upon returning. "I'm comfortable pitching wherever. We'll see. That's not for me to say."
