Chicago Cubs could be without Brandon Morrow for the rest of the season

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon admitted a hard truth on Wednesday, confirming he may be running out of time to get closer Brandon Morrow back.

Since picking up his 22nd save of the season on July 15, Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow has not set foot on a Major League mound. And, if his recovery continues at its current pace, he may not do so until next spring.

According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, manager Joe Maddon acknowledged this fact while talking to reporters ahead of Wednesday’s finale in Milwaukee. Obviously, for a team clinging to a slim advantage in the division race, that’s hardly what you want to hear.

“At this point of the year, he’s been out for a bit,” Maddon told MLB.com. “We’re still not on the mound yet. It’s [Sept. 5], right? Twenty-five more days in the month. It’s hard to get him up to speed. You have to talk about building arm strength up, seeing hitters, throwing, day off, throwing again, and then just to be cautious regarding consecutive appearances or how many pitches he’ll throw. There’s a lot to consider yet.”

A lot to consider, indeed. With the bullpen faltering in big ways early in the Milwaukee series, getting your ninth-inning guy back seems critical. But, then again, Pedro Strop has shown the ability to slam the door late. There’s plenty to dissect here, so let’s get started.

Chicago Cubs: A valuable weapon that came with these risks

Let’s just call it like it is. No one complained about the Cubs’ decision to go with Morrow when he was blowing a triple-digit heater past opponents early in the season. I

In 35 appearances this season, the right-hander boasts a 1.47 ERA that benefits from the defense behind him (based on a 2.96 FIP). His 9.2 strikeouts per nine are largely in-line with what he’s done with his career, with both his walks and home runs trending above career averages.

All told, he’s been really solid when he’s on the hill. Ninth innings don’t feel the same as they did last season with Wade Davis on the mound. Don’t get me wrong, he put together a very impressive season, but he worked himself into and, promptly out of, trouble on a pretty regular basis.

Another benefit of going with Morrow in the ninth? He came at a relative steal when you look at some of the deals handed out to relievers last offseason. Chicago picked him up at just $21 million over two years with a team option for 2020.

Now, of course, you might second guess that decision. But it’s important to remember how the ‘other’ guys, including Davis, have fared in 2018.

Chicago Cubs: Mixed results from a trio of relievers

Let’s shift now to Oh, who put up some really impressive numbers in 2016 in his first big league campaign. Last year, though, the results were hardly awe-inspiring. His WHIP jumped up to 1.399, he allowed homers at a pace nearly three times the year prior and his strikeout rate plummeted. Still, if the Cubs were looking to scrape the barrel for a veteran arm, he could’ve made sense.

Inked to just a one-year deal, the righty has pitched to a 2.83 ERA for Toronto and Colorado. His walk rate continues to climb, but his strikeouts are on the rise, as well – so they’re a bit of a wash. Still, he seems to be the benefactor of a bit of luck, as well – (2.83 ERA/3.43 FIP).

As for Shaw, who is now teammates with Davis in Colorado, things couldn’t be much worse. After emerging as a stable force in Terry Francona‘s pen in Cleveland, the right-hander can’t do anything right for the Rockies. He’s pitched to a 6.31 ERA, 12.1 hits and 4.4 walks per nine. A 1.831 WHIP tells you about all you need to know about his 2018 performance.

Lastly comes Addison Reed. In 51 appearances for Minnesota, the right-hander has struggled a great deal. The not-so-proud owner of a 4.78 ERA, 5.32 FIP and 1.424 WHIP, the former third-rounder has been anything but reliable this season.

So, with the possible exception of Oh, who is more than likely on the back nine of his career, Morrow has been leaps and bounds better than pretty much any of the other names that could’ve helped shore up the Cubs’ pen last winter. Remember that when you’re feeling particularly frustrated with yet another injury in the pitching staff.

Chicago Cubs: It’s the Stropy Show from here on out

So, hopefully, putting any doubts as to whether or not Morrow was the right call behind us, we can move forward with the closer-in-waiting, Pedro Strop. The Dominican-born right-hander is in the midst of yet another stellar campaign on the North Side.

Entering play Wednesday, Strop has made 56 appearances, pitching to a 2.45 ERA, 1.018 WHIP and 3.61 FIP. His strikeout rate is down nearly two punchouts per nine, but he’s getting the job done, evidenced by his career-high 11 saves.

And, through his half-dozen outstanding seasons on the North Side, he’s earned the respect of Maddon.

“He’s always had the ability to be a closer,” Maddon said. “The slider is devastating. He’s added a cutter and splitter to his repertoire. There’s a lot of stuff to like there. He’s been a pretty good strike thrower. He’s got the right kind of attitude. If it’s a bad day, he’s able to eject it. If it’s a great day, he just moves it along. I’m a big fan.”

Losing Brandon Morrow is a huge blow to the pen. Not because Strop can’t handle the ninth, but with him closing games, you have to shift everyone deeper to cover the eighth, his standard role in the pen. But with guys like Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards and Justin Wilson in-tow, Chicago has the depth to overcome down the stretch.