CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Out since Sept. 13 with a hamstring strain, Cubs reliever Pedro Strop believes his ramped-up rehab work will allow him to return to game action by next Thursday, which marks Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Strop recently threw off a mound on back-to-back days, and while he wasn't throwing Saturday, he had a positive outlook on his progress and planned to run a bit before the Cubs' eventual 2-1 loss to the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
With Brandon Morrow out since mid-July, Strop had assumed the Cubs' closing duties before he suffered the injury running out a groundball in extra innings against the Nationals on Sept. 13.
Strop has posted a 2.26 ERA and 0.99 WHIP while converting 13 of 17 save chances.
"We already tested me twice on the mound," Strop said. "It went well both times. Now we hope to take the next step, which is running. We want to make sure if I get in a game, I can at least cover first base. I think I will be able to do that. So we will take it from there."
If the Cubs win the NL Central -- they led the Brewers by a half-game as of late Saturday afternoon -- they'll open the playoffs Thursday. If the Cubs falter, they could play in the wild-card game Tuesday night.
The silver lining in the injury is that it wasn't to Strop's arm, so he believes his stuff will return quickly.
"We are still looking for playoffs," Strop said. "Thursday is more likely. The good thing is my arm is in good shape, so I don't have to rehab that. That will make my return process quicker. I feel (the hamstring), but it is not injured.
"I feel it, but this was not anything major. I know it will hurt, but I am prepared for it."
Still, the Cubs will have to be cautious about acclimating Strop in such high-leverage situations.
"He is doing really well," Maddon said. "He feels good and is looking good. We will let the trainers work with him. Let's take care of business first. If we get to that point, that means we are in the playoffs. You want to have him for a really long run. So let's make sure he does."
Maddon indicated he wouldn't use Strop to close when he first returns.
"If we put him out there and he responds well, it will be easy to get him back into that role," Maddon said. "The fact he hasn't been disabled all this time matters a lot."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
