Cubs Injury Notes: Descalso, Strop, Morrow

March 15, 2019, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

A few quick injury updates from Cubs camp as I set out to hit up the back fields …

There is no schedule yet for Daniel Descalso’s return from a shoulder injury, but at least it is not currently believed to be too serious:

Cubs infielder Daniel Descalso said his shoulder injury is nothing to be "too worried about" at this point. https://t.co/csY0s3ERVc

— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) March 15, 2019

Nevertheless, Theo Epstein tells the Sun-Times that it’s not a lock Descalso will be ready to go for Opening Day: “We’ll have to see how he bounces back the next couple days. It’s certainly an injury he could be fully recovered from and be ready to go on Opening Day.” If Descalso winds up on the IL to start the season, there’ll be an open bench job for someone like Mark Zagunis or Cristhian Adames.
Meanwhile, in the bullpen, Pedro Strop is feeling good. Perfect, actually:

Pedro Strop is laughing, smiling and downplaying any issues with his hamstring: "I'll be ready for Day 1, 100 percent."

— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 13, 2019

Well, OK, maybe slightly less than perfect:

Pedro Strop (hamstring) put the percentages of being ready for opening day at 99.99 percent. (Earlier in interview he said 100 percent)

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 13, 2019

Even a mild hamstring strain, for even a rapid healer like Pedro Strop, makes you nervous with only a couple weeks to go before Opening Day. Fortunately, Strop is able to keep throwing from flat ground to keep his arm warm, and hopefully that’ll mean he can return rapidly once he gets back on the mound.
Speaking of getting on the mound, it’s set to happen in just a few days for Brandon Morrow:

Brandon Morrow (right elbow) has his final day of long toss today. No setbacks in his rehab to date. On target for his first post-op bullpen session on Monday.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 15, 2019

From there, you’d normally earmark about three weeks to ramp up to game readiness for a guy in Spring Training, but since he’s coming back from elbow surgery and has had myriad injury issues in the past, I expect the Cubs will continue to take it slow with his process. I do not expect to see Morrow on the mound for the Cubs before May. But, of course, it’s good to see that his recovery is still going according to plan.

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