Chicago Cubs: Which injured player’s return is most important?

Chicago Cubs: Ripple effect could loom large

Morrow’s absence has caused the Cubs to use Pedro Strop to close out games. Strop has converted six of his seven chances in place of Morrow, including five in a row.

Still, the Cubs are at their best having Strop available to shut down opponents before the ninth inning. The bullpen is already one man short without Morrow. Needing Strop to close kind of makes it two men short (before the ninth inning).

Essentially, the Cubs need Morrow back healthy to solidify their bullpen. They need him healthy during the push for the playoffs and especially if they make it there.

If Morrow is not healthy for potential playoff games, the Cubs will have somewhat of a question mark in save-situations. Strop is good, but Morrow is one of the game’s most elite closers.

Ultimately, the Cubs surely would like to have all three of Bryant, Darvish and Morrow healthy as soon as possible. For this writer, though, they need Morrow back the soonest, and they need him ready for the big games that are inevitably coming.