Cubs Coach Says Injured Starter 'Willing' To Pitch Out of Bullpen

Injured Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman went back into the bullpen on Wednesday for another throwing session as he continues to work back from injury, per the Chicago Tribune.

This bullpen session comes two days after Stroman threw a live batting practice on Monday at the Cubs’ Spring Training facility. He has been in Mesa for more than a week as he continues to recuperate from a right rib cartilage fracture.

Stroman’s rehab and the Cubs’ game schedule are, curiously, lining up. The Cubs wrapped up a series in Colorado on Wednesday and have Thursday off. It just so happens that the Cubs’ next series is in Phoenix to face the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting on Friday.

That doesn’t mean that Stroman will be activated. The Cubs haven’t talked about a timeline publicly. But it does give Cubs brass a chance to see Stroman in person and, perhaps, figure out the next steps.

What seems to be clear is that both the Cubs and Stroman are open to the right-hander having a bullpen role when he returns, as opposed to trying to build him up so he can start.

Last weekend, 670 The Score reported that the Cubs are considering bringing Stroman back as a reliever once he’s ready to throw. Just as importantly, Stroman is open to the idea.

Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy told the “Mully and Haugh Show” on 670 The Score that Stroman is open to it during an appearance on the station on Wednesday.

“We’re at the point of the year where I think a lot of guys have thrown their egos aside and want to help the team in any way they can,” he said. “They understand there’s a lot of different ways to do that. We’re still talking through, when Stro comes back, what the best option is going to be to utilize him. He’s been open and willing to say, ‘Hey, I’ll pitch out of the bullpen. I’ll start if you guys want me to. I’ll do both. I’ll work back.’ Those are all the things we’re trying to weigh here. How can we give guys rest? How can we put them in the right chance to be successful? How can we form a team and put a team out there every night that’s going to compete and try to win a ball game?”

The Cubs could use some bullpen help, as they put closer Adbert Alzolay on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a right forearm strain. He’s been reliable for the Cubs most of the season. He heads to the injured list with a 2.71 ERA in 63 innings (57 games) and 22 saves.

At one time this season, Stroman was the Cubs’ best starting pitcher. He had such a good start to the season that he was entertaining Cy Young talk, attracting potential trade suitors and was asking the Cubs to extend his deal past this season.

But, after the All-Star Break his performance took a noticeable dip due to the hip injury. He has a 10-8 record with a 3.85 ERA in 23 starts, with 111 strikeouts and 50 walks.

On Aug. 2, the Cubs put Stroman on the 15-day injured list with right hip inflammation.

He was actually poised to return to the rotation when he was eligible to be activated after a final bullpen session in Toronto. But, well after the session, he reported some soreness to team trainers.

After an examination, he was diagnosed with the right rib cartilage fracture, which Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said wasn’t a “common pitching injury.”