The Cubs have shut down Brandon Morrow for the remainder of the 2018 season, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced to reporters Tuesday (Twitter link via Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune). Morrow has been out since mid July due to a biceps injury.
Signed to a two-year, $21MM contract on the heels of a resurgent 2017 campaign, Morrow was nothing short of excellent for the Cubs when healthy enough to take the field. In 30 2/3 innings, he racked up 22 saves and posted a 1.47 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 0.59 HR/9 and a career-best 51.9 percent ground-ball rate.
With Morrow out, right-hander Pedro Strop has gotten the majority of the Cubs’ save opportunities, although Strop himself has recently been hobbled by a hamstring injury and isn’t expected to return until the postseason. Right-handers Steve Cishek and Jesse Chavez have each found their way into save opportunities late in the year, and it seems likely that manager Joe Maddon will go with a matchup-based committee approach down the stretch.
Gonzales tweeted earlier in the day that right-hander Allen Webster could be a candidate to come up to the Majors if Morrow is unable to return. The top prospect-turned-journeyman hasn’t been in the Majors since 2015 but has been excellent since debuting for the organization this summer — albeit in a small sample of work. Through 17 innings, he’s pitched to a 2.65 ERA with an outstanding 24-to-3 K/BB ratio, one homer allowed and a ground-ball rate near 60 percent.
Oh Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge
There is no tomorrow for…
Bring it on, we’ll be fine
Hahahahahahahahaahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!!!!!!!!
What a mature and effective way to get your point across *end sarcasm*
Guess what, laughing boy. They’ve started hitting again. That’s the last thing any of those other teams in the NL want. To face a team that scores enough to make the “closer” role not even matter. “HA” on that. dude ranch.
And hopefully indefinitely. No offense to Morrow. I’m sure he’s a nice guy and has obviously had no control over his injuries, but this kind of stuff can’t happen on a World Series-caliber team with a window.
Hopefully, Theo and Jed have learned not to sign these individuals with lengthy injury histories. Ricketts has a printing press. Sometimes you have to go out and spend it on quality (non-injury-laden) arms.
He pitched in all 7 games of the world series last year.
You cant argue with Cubs fans, especially “recent” ones.
So, let me get this straight, because he pitched in all 7 games of the World Series, that means he’s all good to go? Gee, great “logic,” fellas.
His career is laden with injuries. I get it. They took a chance, and it failed. Same with Darvish. And the main point of my post is taking a chance on these “physical therapist’s dream pitchers” is not working out.
P.S. I’ve been a Cubs fan since 1984, you assuming numpty. You know what they say about people that assume things? Nah, you don’t.
Next time, clarify with more adjectives. “Ricketts has a printing press for money” or so you implied.
Sure, I’ll try to keep it simple for you.
“this cant happen on a world series caliber team”. Morrow was the catalyst of a world series team and was extremely effective this year. Cant fault the cubs for that
Basically Dodgers abused Morrow last year and Cubs abused Chapman year before. Both have been breaking down pretty significantly since then. I know Morrow has shorter & smaller commitment but still might have much to show for it.
“No offence but I hope he’s injured forever”.
You know just putting “no offence” in there doesn’t actually change what you said, right? Watch:
No offence, but you’re beyond dense.
No offense, but you’re an id I o tic t w at that takes everything far too literally. No offense, of course.
Yeah hopefully he’s indefinitely injured because you’re mad that he had some injuries this year. Great logic there.
Morrow provided value this year despite the injuries. Who should they have signed? Melancon a few years ago? Holland? Wade Davis? Relievers are volatile as hell from injuries to ineffectiveness. As a Cub fan I would rather that those in charge be judicious and not pay top dollar for whatever reliever. They’ve had success in the past throwing a bullpen together, they’ve struggled this year but Chavez and Cishek were solid pickups
Did I say I hoped he was injured forever?? I meant “indefinitely,”as in shut down by the “Cubs” indefinitely. As in off-the-team. As in traded. As in “can’t be relied upon.” God, some of you guys need to change your bloody rags. You take every single comment so literally, like a bunch of little girls. The main point of my comment is I’d prefer to see him never pitch for the Cubs again. I wouldn’t prefer to see him injured, little snowflakes. .
There goes the neighborhood… I wasn’t sure whether the Cubs had the horses to get to win another WS this year… now I know. You have to have 3-4 guys you can count on in October. I’m not sure the Cubs have 2.
Not sure they will even win the division
As a Cubs fan, I’ll sleep with a 3 game lead in the loss column and 12 games left. The Cubs not winning the division at this point would be considered a collapse.
Odds have them at 100% to make it to the playoffs, and 95.7% for them to win the division.
Personally, I think it would take a monumental collapse for them to not win the division.
Hahaha. Surely you’re not paying attention. I know it’s not fun seeing the Cubs win consistently for most, but they are now 19-10 at the end of a ridiculous 30-straight scheduled days….they look just fine. Try again….
And they should be 25-5. Losing 4 of the last 6 to Milwaukee is just inexcusable. They should have easily swept both at Wrigley north and at Wrigley. They would’ve clinched the nl central by now. Magic number is 8 if they sweep the white Sox and Milwaukee loses 2 of 3 to whoever they play. It will be over. By Monday.
LOLz
Develop hitters, sign pitchers. How’s that workin’ out for you Theo?
Yu Darvish
Tyler Chatwood
Brandon Morrow
3 strikes your out. Any other GM would be toast. Heads will role this off-season, who will be the scapegoat this time? Last time it was Chris Bosio and John Mallee
Pretty damn good, won a World Series in 2016. How’s it going for whatever team you root for?
That GM gave the cubs their first championship in 108 years. I would be grateful.
Yea. Fire the guy that has the team on the verge of its 4th straight playoff appearance. A guy who put together a team with 3 straight NLCS appearances. A guy who put together the teams first championship team in over a century. And why? Because he signed two players for a combined $23.5 million in 2018.
The only problem is they probably got 10 million dollars worth of production out of morrow even with all the injuries. There’s a reason he didn’t cost much more than tommy hunter or Anthony Swarzak.
Not sure what’s worse, mindless Cub fans or mindless Cub haters. Let’s all try to put bias aside and have intelligent baseball discussions and speculation
Yes heads will be rolling because the Cubs are one of the leagues top teams for like the fourth straight season….
Other than the complete botching of the English language, please get your facts straight. First, Theo is not the GM so he should have no worries. Next, it was “draft heavy on hitters and acquire pitchers.” I believe that Lester, Hendricks, Arrieta, Hamels, Strop, Cishek, Lackey, Davis, Edwards, Chavez, etc have done just fine. Chatwood has turned out to be a dumpster fire at this point. Darvish and Morrow are hurt. Duensing should fall into that category. Justin Hancock too? Imagine how salty you’d be if the guys you mentioned panned out and the Cubs won 125 games.
Best record in the NL after three straight NLCS appearances and a World Championship….what’s wron with you Theo? Nothing is better than seeing bitter fans hate the Cubs. It’s just delicious…keep it coming.
Three straight NLCS appearances, one WS win, and on their way to a third straight division title. Working out pretty well, but lolz, right?
3 strikes your what is out?
First, Jed Hoyer is GM, not Theo. Second, they’ve been to the NLCS 3 straight years. Give the guy a break for a year with a couple bad pickups. Of course, keep this in mind:
-best record in NL
-#2 in batting avg in MLB
-#5 in RBI
-#6 ERA
-#9 BAA
Seems they’re doing OK. Down on homers this year is what’s hurting. The pitching, tho not stellar, is somewhat reliable. If run production continues into October, they’ll be a competitor.
Man – the Milwaukee Boober and White Sux trolls are out in force tonight !!
It’s okay though they got Murphy from the Nats….lol….inside joke referring to my comment on another post about “how Murphy while he is a stud wasn’t exactly what the Cubs needed….great piece added in August yes but they needed bullpen help before July 31st deadline” and I caught hell from that comment….only a few real Baseball gurus knew what I meant….others bashed me for making that comment….I know Murphy is top 5 hitter in baseball and will add a couple wins to a good team but they needed to address the bullpen back in July….an all-around hitter isn’t going to put them over the top in the playoffs whereas a solid bullpen could have….that’s what I meant
They needed back of the Bullpen help and were last in the waiver wire. So explain what pitcher would have reached them on the waiver list and been worth making a deal for?
@Frank….I clearly stated by the July 31st deadline therefore no waiver order was needed….first come first serve….they could have addressed the bullpen before July 31st….if they got Murphy on waivers in August after they got bullpen help in July it would be a great move….it still was a solid addition but him alone wasn’t gonna cut it….I made it clear that they should have added bullpen pieces before July 31st….
Furthermore….they knew Morrow’s condition as he has been out for quite some time leading up to the July 31st deadline….they had the knowledge and they had the power to execute a trade for bullpen pieces….they failed so they took the best player available (one of the top hitters in the game) before the August 31st deadline….it was a very smart move but my point was/is that it wasn’t exactly what they needed….
Nationals did the same to Strasburg at the end of the season and in the middle of a playoff hunt….great move…ask the Nationals lol
Let’s talk more about “Respect 90”. Remember those cute shirts old man Joe wore? Or how about even “Respect the game”. I’m sorry but Javy, Contreras, Lester and Strop may have a lot of talent but those are some of worst players in MLB when it comes to respecting the umps and opposing players. Most fans don’t mind some “swag” and spirit but just play the game with respect & class. Why root for or defend guys like that?!?!
I love the way they all play. It’s when guys go over the top like Pedroia or Molina that rubs me the wrong way. Saying that though, Contreras not running thinking it was a homer is pretty embarrassing
Agreed, embarrassing… that said, he paid his penance and we can all move on. He knows he was wrong and learned from it. Can’t ask for much more from a kid.
I understand where you’re coming from but these guys are different. Javy is at times quick to give respect for good plays against him. Others do the same. These kids may have a lot of spirit but it’s never an “in your face” kinda way. They don’t get ejected or have altercations with umps… people really don’t even mention it much because it’s obvious it’s in a love for the game type of emotion. Not disrespectful and if it is, the team doesn’t let them get away with it
I recall former Cub players who fit that bill quite well- Sammy Sosa, Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley and Carlos Zambrano. They all ended their careers with most Cubs fans hating them. Kind of ironic how quickly things can change!
I posted a comment. Nothing offensive but it disappeared?