As we discussed earlier today, the timeline necessary for Brandon Morrow to return from his multiple arm issues doesn’t square in a particularly generous way with the realities of the baseball calendar. The Cubs want him to be fully healthy before relying on him heavily, but in order to get him there, he may have almost no time left to show what he’s got before the playoffs arrive.
So, the Cubs are making things plain:
Maddon said they're running out of time to get Morrow back onto the mound and into the closer's role. He said it's "not inaccurate" that they'll have to operate under the assumption he can't comeback and be full go this season.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) September 5, 2018
Joe on whether there is enough time for Morrow to pitch this season: "Barely." #Cubs
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) September 5, 2018
It was already looking like it was going to be a squeeze, and if Maddon is now openly conceding that the Cubs have to plan like Morrow won’t be back – and using words like “barely” to describe if he’s got enough time – I don’t think there’s any reason to expect Morrow to return. Sure, we can always hope for it, but a return is not likely.
This was always the big risk with Morrow, who has been injured far more often than healthy in his career. He pitched very well for the Cubs in the first half when he was able to pitch, and he would be a critical part of a playoff bullpen if healthy.
We’ll keep that candle lit, but the Cubs are undoubtedly scrambling to figure out how they would otherwise optimize their seven-man playoff bullpen.