Chicago Cubs: Brandon Morrow is heading to the disabled list
Brandon Morrow was placed on the Chicago Cubs 10-day DL Wednesday morning after straining his back taking off his pants. How will the Cubs work the ninth?
The Chicago Cubs dropped a win after Justin Wilson blew a one-run ninth inning lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday afternoon. Many Cubs fans were frustrated that Justin Wilson was given that inning considering how good Brandon Morrow has been in the ninth.
But after the game, Joe Maddon told reporters Morrow was unavailable because of back spasms. The trigger for the back spasms, however, wasn’t strain from hitting 100 on the radar gun.
"“It’s frustrating any time you can’t get out there, especially when you can’t go for something as stupid as taking your pants off.”"
Morrow told MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat.
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That’s right. Morrow was taking his pants off Monday morning and strained his back in the process.
Morrow has been among the best closers in the National League in 2018. He has 16 saves in 22.2 innings with a 1.59 ERA.
Fortunately for Morrow and the Cubs, his DL stints is apparently expected to be brief, as he’s only heading to the DL list, but what are the Cubs going to do with the lead in the ninth until then?
No obvious fill-in for Morrow
Carl Edwards Jr. would usually be the obvious de facto closer of the staff with Morrow injured, but Edwards is currently on a DL stint of his own due to shoulder inflammation. Edwards has been on the DL since late May.
Pedro Strop and Justin Wilson could also both be viable candidates in the ninth; Strop is having a career year with his 1.76 ERA in 30.2 innings of work. Justin Wilson has been pitching well with a 2.73 ERA, but he has more blown saves than he has saves.
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The most likely scenario is that Maddon plays the matchup game in Morrow’s absence. However, the ideal scenario is that the Chicago Cubs offense and pitching will prevent a closer from being necessary.