The hopes are low and the expectations even lower for an impactful Brandon Morrow return this year with the Cubs, but after a procedure to work on some nerves and some good recoveries thereafter, Morrow has been optimistic that he’ll return (if no one else).
To that end, we’ll keep tracking his progress insofar as there is progress to track and a season still underway.
Morrow actually threw live batting practice yesterday in Arizona according to Cubs GM Jed Hoyer today on The Score, and now it’s just a question of how well he bounces back – that had been one of his biggest issues in the attempted ramp up this year following arthroscopic surgery back in November. But the fact that Morrow was actually able to face hitters is a real step in the process of returning, and at least finally gets us into that range where we can say if this, then that, if this, etc.
Specifically, if he does recover well, it’s possible he could get into a Rookie League game or a simulated game by next week. And if that – and perhaps another one or two – goes well, he could theoretically go out on a rehab assignment before the minor league seasons end, which would kinda be the drop dead date for him to actually have a chance to come back to the big league Cubs. It is impossible to imagine Morrow getting meaningful innings down the stretch for the big league team if he hasn’t pitched competitively at any level in a year and a half. But, in a dream world, where he gets in a few innings somewhere in the minors and looks and feels great? Sure, OK, then it’s at least possible he could get some innings with the big league team.
The good news is that he took an actual step yesterday. The status quo news is that there is still a cavernous expanse between that and seeing him making an impact on the mound at Wrigley Field.
Now we have to hope we hear word of another round of live BP soon, or some kind of fake-ish game action.