We may have to hear a little more on this one before we can fully suss out whether it’s an INJURY or an “injury,” but Pedro Strop’s trip to the Injured List today is not a matter of his hamstring(s) acting up again, and instead is tied to something from Sunday.
Strop to 10-day IL with left neck tightness. Flared while long-tossing Sunday. RHP Duane Underwood Jr. recalled from AAA Iowa.
Phelps not active tonight.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 30, 2019
The implication there is that Strop would not be going on the Injured List tonight but for the new neck issue. So, if that hadn’t happened, which brought up Underwood tonight and leaves a spot for Phelps, the Cubs would have had to make some other roster decision to accommodate Phelps. For now, then, that decision is punted until Strop feels better.
In the meantime, even if not on the IL for his hamstrings, it is nice to get Strop a little more rest in any case. Sometimes guys who hurt their legs can try to compensate for lost velocity with their arms, which can throw all kinds of things – including command and movement – out of whack, even if the velocity comes back. So hopefully, a nice rest will help on all fronts.
In the meantime, the Cubs will continue relying mainly on Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler as the primary setup men for Craig Kimbrel.