CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein shared an interesting term when explaining how the team will approach fortifying a bullpen plagued by injuries and full of question marks even amid its recent strong performance.
The Cubs are going to be "transactional," Epstein said.
In other words, Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer will continue spending a great deal of time attempting to patch up a key part of the team.
On Wednesday, the Cubs lost another key reliever when Pedro Strop was placed on the injured list with a grade-2 strain of his left hamstring. It was the same injury that Strop suffered last September. Strop had been the primary closer for the Cubs, as Brandon Morrow was already sidelined as his rehab from elbow surgery last November continues to move slowly. Morrow's timeline for a return this season remains uncertain and probably isn't something the Cubs can count on.
Given their situation, the Cubs will use a closer-by-committee approach -- as evidenced by manager Joe Maddon citing nearly every member of his bullpen in providing an answer.
"We just have to save somebody every day," manager Joe Maddon said. "We need someone for that moment every day. In advance, you start looking at teams' lineups. You look at the seventh and the eighth and look each day matchup-wise which guy is the best match for the last three outs. It will be all the guys. It will be (Steve) Cishek, (Brad) Brach, (Brandon) Kintzler, it will be Carl (Edwards Jr.). It will be Kyle Ryan. I think (Mike) Montgomery is capable, (Tyler) Chatwood as well."
Steve Cishek blew the Cubs' second straight save in the ninth inning of their eventual 3-2 win against the Marlins in 11 innings on Wednesday. It was a reminder that the need for more relief help is paramount moving forward in one of baseball's toughest divisions.
The Giants and Tigers have had a heavy presence in scouting the Cubs recently, sources said, an indication trade discussions may lie ahead.
After a poor start, the Cubs bullpen has been superb. Chicago's relievers posted a 7.87 ERA in the first eight games and have produced a 2.31 ERA in their past 26 games.
The Cubs have been transparent in their conversations about the needs of the club.
"With Strop's absence, it doesn't really change anything for us," Epstein said Wednesday. "We realize this is a year where we will be constantly looking to make changes to the bullpen. We will be trying to put the right pitcher in the right spot to be successful. We know we will have to tweak and adjust over the course of the year as we go. We hope to get help internally as well as outside the organization. We have been and will continue to be in an aggressive mindset in respect to the bullpen, and we think the results so far have been outstanding. That doesn't mean we become passive or assume that is going to continue going forward. We will continue to be challenged in that area throughout the course of the year. We must continue to be resourceful. That is only underscored by the absence of Strop. Guys will have to continue to step up and pitch well in big spots."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
