NEWSLETTER
Recently, we chatted about the Cubs’ most “indispensable” players, and although he was not at the top of my mind, I remarked that you could make an argument about Pedro Strop, given the state of the Cubs’ bullpen.
WELL:
Pedro Strop pulled his right hamstring in his last appearance. Cubs say it’s a minor injury. He may not throw in a game in the coming days but they think he’ll be ready for opening day.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 12, 2019
Maddon: Pedro Strop dealing with mild right hamstring strain. Had MRI on Monday. Still able to play catch, but likely will be held off a mound for the next week. Not ruled out for Opening Day yet.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 12, 2019
I AM TRYING TO REMAIN CALM.
Things:
I think I’ll scream now. We’ll keep you posted as Strop recovers. The good news is that, through several injuries in the past, he has shown the ability to just be one of those guys who recovers more quickly than you expect. Hey. It works for Wolverine.
Also: Craig Kimbrel is still a free agent. I’m not necessarily on board with him as a five-plus-year guy, but if he has to settle for a cheap one-year deal at this point …
UPDATE: I would love to be comforted by these Joe Maddon quotes, but I am in a mood to be panicked, and thus they sound like a “methinks thou doth protest too much” kinda deal:
Joe Maddon on Pedro Strop's hamstring issue: “According to this MRI, it was like barely noticeable, so we don’t think it’s going to be anything horribly long. But we don’t know for sure. We’d like to think we’re going to be able to get him ready for the beginning of the season."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 12, 2019
Joe, on Strop: "We'd like to think we're going to be able to get him ready for the beginning of the season. If not, maybe shortly thereafter. So, it's something we caught quickly. Again, I can't emphasize enough, it doesn't look bad, but you don't push a guy like that right now."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 12, 2019
