To that end, reliever Pedro Strop is nearing a return after being sidelined since May 6 by a left hamstring strain. Strop felt good after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session and plans to throw one more this weekend. He could then embark on a short rehab assignment before returning to the Cubs.
Strop wasn't officially termed the closer by manager Joe Maddon with Brandon Morrow sidelined amid his rehab from elbow surgery last November, but Strop was getting the ninth-inning call often and has long been a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs.
"I feel very good," Strop said Thursday. "I will throw again on Saturday. They might want me to have a rehab assignment, but if they ask, I will tell them I don't need one. It has been a week now that I have been doing everything pain-free. We are building strength and working hard to make it stronger."
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Strop has been impressed by his teammates in his absence. The Cubs bullpen has a 3.90 ERA this season, which ranks 10th in baseball.
"They have been doing great," Strop said. "That is no surprise, because we have guys like (Steve) Cishek who have more experience than I have closing games. (Brad) Brach and (Brandon) Kintzler have more experience as well. It feels good that they have been there."