(670 The Score) The Cubs have activated right-hander Marcus Stroman from the injured list, they announced Friday evening.
Stroman has been sidelined since July 31, initially by a hip injury before he was diagnosed with a rib cartilage fracture. Stroman has a 3.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 23 starts this season.
Stroman will initially pitch out of the bullpen in his return, manager David Ross told reporters. Stroman had recently expressed a willingness to fill any role the team needs, pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said, whether it be in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
In an appearance on the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Thursday, general manager Carter Hawkins was asked how much the Cubs would need to see from Stroman to have confidence using him in a playoff setting.
“He’s got a pretty strong track record,” Hawkins said. “It’s really about if he’s physically in the place to be able to have the delivery and the stuff profile and the command profile that we’re accustomed to. But his foundation is pretty set. If he’s healthy and he’s able to repeat the way that he’s been able to repeat in the past, I think your confidence on that goes up pretty quickly. Our best team is one with Marcus Stroman on it, for sure. I think there’s a great shot that he can help us here in the next couple weeks and into October hopefully.”
In a corresponding move, Chicago optioned reliever Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa. Palencia has a 4.09 ERA in 21 appearances for the Cubs this season.
The Cubs open a three-game series at the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Pregame starts at 8:05 p.m. CT on 670 The Score, with first pitch set for 8:40 p.m.