Cubs Reliever Brandon Morrow Out for the Season with Biceps Injury
September 18, 2018
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Morrow will miss the rest of the 2018 MLB season because of a lingering elbow injury.
On Tuesday, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced Morrow, who's been on the 10-day disabled list since mid-July because of a bone bruise in his elbow, won't return this year, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
The 34-year-old California native was scheduled to make his return from the DL this week after sounding an optimistic tone following a bullpen session Saturday.
"My mechanics have been free; I don't feel like I'm holding back," he told reporters. "Everything feels good coming out. My command of my breaking stuff was really good, I thought. I have plenty to compete and throw the ball competitively. I'm the sign-off. If it feels the same [Sunday], everything's all good."
Bob Nightengale of USA Today provided further details from Epstein about Morrow and the Cubs' bullpen situation without him for the rest of the regular season and a potential playoff run:
Morrow was terrific before the injury. He posted a 1.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 30.2 innings across 35 appearances. He also converted 22 of his 24 save opportunities.
The success came after he signed a two-year, $21 million contract with the Cubs in December.
Steve Cishek, Jesse Chavez, Carl Edwards Jr. and Jorge De La Rosa will continue to split the late-inning work, with Pedro Strop sidelined for the remainder of the regular season with a hamstring injury.