The whack-a-mole game that is Brandon Morrow’s body continues to keep him from his comeback. He threw earlier this week and appeared to be on track, until a twinge of pain in his calf during a run revealed a mild tear, per The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma (via Twitter). The injury is minor, with Morrow projected to be sidelined for a mere 10-14 days.
Still, given the absolute deluge of elbow, bicep, and back injuries Morrow has undergone over the last couple of seasons, it’s fair to sound the alarms here. This latest setback is innocuous enough in a vacuum, and yet it certainly takes on greater significance given Morrow’s recent history. Even a short-term injury such as this one has to put Morrow’s availability for opening day in question.
The Cubs bullpen is primed for a re-characterization after moving on from veterans like Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler, and Mike Montgomery, who was dealt to Kansas City at last year’s deadline. Morrow, 35, re-joined the Cubs on a minor league deal after being physically unable to contribute for the entire second season of his original two-year deal with Chicago. At this point, he has to be considered a long shot to make the team, fun as his reemergence would be.
so much talent, but always so fragile
Yep
Shut him down for the season!
Cubs only looking at 4th place at best anyway.
Not sure which is more sad, you trolling on EVERY Cubs article like a crazy ex, or that you actually made a 2nd account to do it. Get a life buddy
Tough to say, both are pretty sad… and transparent. Again, I don’t really blame him though. Would you rather obsess over a poverty, irrelevant franchise like the White Sox or the team that gets all the local attention and plenty of national run, a team that’s had 5 straight winning seasons, including 4 straight playoff appearances, 3 straight NLCS, and a ring already in the bank with a young, exciting core that’s still intact. The red headed step kids on the south side have never had 5 straight winning seasons, 4 straight playoff appearances, 3 straight trips to the LCS.
At least ChiSoxfan is open about his Cubs obsession. I almost respect him for that…. almost. Either way, it’s nothing to get upset over. Again, it’s transparent and telling that the Cubs and their massive reach live rent free in his head. The sad part is that we don’t reciprocate. Like most MLB fans, it would be impossible for me to care any less about The Northwest Indiana White Sox, so I’m never on the few posts about them, I doubt many Cub fans ever comment on their posts. That’s not fair to them, we should donate a few minutes to their board… I’d prefer not to, but perhaps someone else can. The minute and a half it took to type this is more attention than I care to donate to these poor saps.
poverty? do you know financials? They are the 6th most profitable MLB team. Try harder.
Oh Bryzzo looks like you shut up ChiSox!
Also all that success and one World Series to show for it for the “dynasty” Cubs. At least when the Sox won it they didn’t pretend to be relevant for the next few seasons.
@ axis….here’s your challenge….please provide one quote from the Cubs organization about any dynasty or any bit of anything being relevant from when the Sox won. Neither exist.
“At least when the Sox won it they didn’t pretend to be relevant for the next few seasons.”
Cubs went to the NLCS in 2017 and made the playoffs again in 2018. Was in it for most of 2019.
The White Sox finished 3rd in 2006, lost 90 games in 2007 and were blown out by Tampa in the ALDS in 2008 where they needed game 163 to get in. I’d say there’s a good argument that 2005 was a fluke compared to the recent history of the Cubs (not saying it was a fluke, however).
No. That’s incorrect. There was a historically good twins team that came out of no where in 2006. Three Sox won 90 games and finished third. They also finished with a winning record and in the hunt in 04, 05, 06, 08, 09, 2012. Also, they lost a 5 game series in 2008 to the eventual AL pennant winner and were not swept. How that constitutes blown out I’ll never know. So…… neither win was a fluke but try again with your BS were so much better thing.
Theo would never say winning multiple titles, but lots of playoff appearances. The Chicago media played up a dynasty idea along with national baseball media due to the volume of young controlled all stars.
That’s just a dumb thought Axis….
Bryzzo, the idea that there are not just as many stupid Cubs fans trolling Six fans as there are the other way is crazy. The stupid in Chicago is across the board. Also, you talk a big game for this being suddenly having a good team only in the last 5 years. The Cubs don’t exactly have the history of the Yankees or something. You asked about winning seasons… Between 2000-2012 the Sox only had 3 seasons below .500. So when the Cubs do that let me know. Lastly, the NW Indiana White Sox? Really? The White Sox are closer to the Loop by over 2 miles.
Oh also poor? Reinsdorf owns two franchises in the 3rd largest media market in the country and has brought 7 Championships to Chicago.
It seems there were some kid ok cheat from the insignificant White Sox that 2005. If something like that (how a team from a WS win went to a 90 loses team) happened nowadays, an investigation from the commissioner office would be in order.
I will not waste a minute of my life looking for any sort of information regarding the WSox. Contrary as you hate the Cubs, I don’t hate the Wsox, it is that I just don’t care about them or any news from them. If they ever win a WS again, “haaayyy”‘ for the couple of fans they have. I just simply, don’t care about them..
Just admit you’re really ChiSoxFan or ChiSox_Fan, or whatever garbage you’re making up these days. It’s kinda weird and creepy bro. Just go back to enjoying your fireworks and the other 100 people that attend your home games. Or make up another account, lol.
Actually agrorolm, the Sox won 90 games the year after their WS win. They won 83 games in 04 and 89 games in 08. So I have no clue what you’re talking about…..
Historically good Twins teams that made it out of the ALDS once? Wow, powerhouse.
2008 ALDS was won by Tampa 3 games to 1. Wasn’t like they were up in the 8th and 9th and blew games late to lose.
Before you come here to say I’m incorrect please do not lie to baseball fans about the Minnesota Twins being “historically good”. They were a big fish in a small pond that is called the AL Central. You barely need a pulse to win that division
Nah – it was a fluke season…
Werealljustguests, the 2006 season the Twins had one of the best second halfs in baseball history to that point they were in 4th place at one point and yet were able to catch 2 teams that ended up winning 90 or more games and which represented three AL in the 05 and 06 world series respectively. So yes that season, historically good. Also, the AL Central had two straight teams in the world series and 3 straight ALCS. They were all different teams in the Sox, Tigers, and Indians. So while it’s not great now, during the mid 2000s it was a pretty damn good division.
It wasn’t a good division. You’re still glossing over the 90 losses in 2007. The Twins were a big fish in a small pond. The AL Central typically were the weakest division in baseball and to this day very little has changed.
Dude seriously? I’m a Sox fan and even I know that’s more true. I think at worst they’ll be 2nd…. Get a life.
The White Sox’s future is looking better than the Cubs. And Eloy is going to break out big this year, while the Cubs get another average year from Quintana. What a lopsided trade that will turn out to be.
I agree Buzz but I was responding to the ChiSox idiot. The Cubs will be decent this year. They won’t finish 4th. But yes the Sox have a better outlook in the next 5 years or so.
I love it….”projected to be sidelined for a mere 10-14 days”.
Yeah, I think last June he was supposed to miss two weeks
To-Morrow is just a day away, though…
Well done sir.
Oh great!! Here we go again!
Here we go still….not again.
You hate to see it
Just retire already, this is getting beyond stupid.
Yeah I’m sure you’d be the first one to commend the guy after he retired following a minor calf tear.
Nothing is minor with Morrow, is the issue.
His contract is.
Who cares? He was never going to be counted on anyway. Anyway who thought otherwise was deluded themselves.
Who saw this coming? Everyone. Everyone saw this coming.
Every little tweak and these players are out two weeks. Not just Morrow, but all over MLB. Some of these “injuries” need to be played through. I work at UPS and do you think every little bump and bruise and tweak gets us weeks off?
Hockey players get beat up pretty good and some take pucks and sticks to the face while losing teeth and come back in. That would be a minimum of 3 months out for an mlb player while he gets his grill fixed. How bout this rule, unless you are injured to a point that you need surgery or your strains are severe enough (at least a grade 2) that you will need to rest for multiple months, you don’t get paid while out. Watch how many players suck it up and stop being over dramatic babies to little bumps and bruises
You work through it because you don’t have a guaranteed contract . Nothing motivates these guys when they get a paycheck wether they play or not. Sad
Yes it would be much better if players played hurt while living in fear of losing their earnings.
Probably should be allowed to whip them on occasion as well just in case they aren’t really giving 100%.
Great idea! It won’t take more than one lashing and they will instantly be out on the injured list for a good 4 months
And here I was worried people weren’t going to take this literally.
And here I was worried I wouldn’t get a stupid response to what I said
Injuries can get worse if you play through them lmao. A strain can turn into a tear if not taken care of properly.
He tore a calf muscle according to reports. Depending on severity it can make walking difficult almost impossible.
Yeah let’s see morrow limp to cover 1st base great idea man.
Taking a puck to the face and losing teeth doesn’t prevent people from using their arms and legs doctor. Tearing ripping stretching muscles does.
Ok then you tell me what an mlb player does when he takes a baseball to the face. Also, every time you exercise you are essentially tearing muscles. It’s normal to an extent. Like I said, lots of injuries can be played through. When it gets worse which odds are it won’t, then treat it. Another few years and these players won’t be playing more than a month or two a season cuz every time they ramp up they will be sore from exercise and have to go back out cuz god forbid that soreness could eventually turn into a strain that could eventually turn into a tear and eventually into loss of use of their leg or arm. Stop babying them. They are humans and are capable of being more durable than what you think
You work through injuries because there are literally millions of people who could do your job. Work or get a pittance in workers’ comp.
Players with MLB talent are rare. They’re treated differently for this reason.
Then explain why nba and nhl players don’t get treated with ultra care? Are they not rare talent or are they dime a dozen as well? Why can a nba player get his sprained ankle tape and continue to play but an mlb player who doesn’t run and jump nearly as much, can’t? Why are you selective reading fools only using my UPS comparison instead of the other professional sports ones I stated?
NBA and NHL players do get treated with that level of care.
You really want to use the NBA to show other athletes aren’t soft? The same league that had to start fining teams for resting players for taking “maintenance days” throughout year because they’re too exhausted to play a full season? Nobody worth while is playing through sprained ankles on a nightly basis. I’d recommend rethinking your strategy.
Yeah look at all the late scratches of players from games in the NBA. These guys are just as bad at missing games as MLB players.
Frustrating how so many people being overworked under the threat of retribution default to attacking injured professional athletes and the like rather than calling out employers responsible for the conditions that Chiguy13 describes to task for their greed.
Keep swinging off the athletes jock agentx. And learn how to read while you are at it, learn how to read.
Great comeback, Chiguy13.
Keep banging your drum for more people to get less protection than doing anything to improve your own condition, if that’s what floats your boat.
Hahahaha UPS……. on a bad day, you give up any bombs? How about the good days? You pitching shutouts or wha???? Hahahahaa
Wahhh the pitcher gave up a home run and got paid 20 million to do it… wahhhh. Hurry put him on the injured list cuz he has a bruised ego now.
Are you angry enough about all this to slam your keyboard shut yet?
Big difference. Don’t think you can compare ups to the rigours of Mlb. Things can get much worse if an mlb player tries to play through their injuries and it doesn’t take much for their careers to be over. At ups you have to lift a wee bit, maybe walk a bit and be able to repeatedly lift a coffee cup. No even close to the same
Really? Apparently you have never worked at UPS if you think we do nothing. We had a guy here who was in the pirates AA system at one point and was in good shape and loading a truck was rough on him. You are right, don’t think you can compare swinging a bat and throwing a ball to having to quickly sort and load a trailer full of 60 lb boxes.
Yes luckily for him he has never had to work at UPS, the hardest job on the planet.
Lol. You clearly know nothing about professional athletes. No doubt as a ups worker you will have to lift the odd heavy box, but the majority of them aren’t that heavy
Teams want players to report injuries. Do you think that they want their investment to ignore injuries and make it worse? If you become seriously injured then you are useless to the team, better to get at a problem early
He’s lucky he’s not a racehorse.
I wish he was…. LMAO
Time to end it and move on. Last week it was a chest muscle issue. Now a calf.
Yeah it’s called normal soreness from being tight from not doing anything for a while. Maybe if he stopped getting shut down his body could actually adjust and get stronger
omg just retire
He’s diabetic and that is why he breaks down so much. It’s a shame and a horrible disease that takes it’s toll on the body.
I would’ve been far cheaper and I would’ve actually been healthy. Not promising good results when I pitch, but availability is more important than results for the most part.
Not really… There’s no shortage of bums that could go out and be awful every night.
Name a worse signing, for the the Cubs, in the last 10 years!!! Morrow NEVER should’ve been signed
Drew Smyly says hi.
I see Edwin Jackson waving
The first Brandon Morrow signing was much worse than this one….this only costs $1M max if he makes it to the major league roster.
That first one…..jeesh….
Mr. Kimbrel is catching up and may take the lead.
I considered Jackson but he actually pitched innings, whether productive it’s not
*whether productive or not
The sad part is that Jackson pitched better for other teams while the Cubs were still paying him.
Jason Heyward says hi
I considered this as well, but he’s actually played and he makes more than he should but he really isn’t TERRIBLE as everyone says he is. I almost feel bad for the guy, but then remember that he probably makes more per game than I do in a year…
Brandon Morrow getting hurt means baseball is in the air…
10-14 days regular time
+30 days Brandon Morrow time
For goodness sake Cubs-Move on from Morrow. You gave him a shot at a comeback but enough is enough!
It’s minor league contract. He’s being paid less than the guys signing who are sitting out with TJ surgery. What’s the risk?
Dudes a perfect fit for the Halos…. built like tissue paper.
I was going to joke “built like *urine-soaked* tissue paper,” but they cleared out the homeless city by the Big A (along the river bed), didn’t they?
Brandon Morrow is injured… and in other news, the sun still rises in east and sets in the west.
He’s on a minor league contract, so luckily it doesn’t matter too much.
Extend this incredible talent Chicago. Cub fans deserve the best.
At least he’s consistent.
A “twinge” of pain in his calf??? These guys are all babies. Geez.
99% of Americans who broke their leg or arm today……are expected to be back at their job on Tuesday. !
He had a wonderful 2 seasons (23 appearances) with the Padres.
I wonder if he just took it easy all winter for him to injure himself running in spring training. Running should be a year long thing for finely-tuned (and those who give a ****) athletes, right?
Cubs should do a Brandon Morrow Operation Board Game giveaway day
Prime example of why inning limits do not prove to be a long term solution; Blue Jays capped Morrow’s innings to 150 in 2010. He nearly reached it and was shelved for the final 4 weeks of the season. Comes back in 2011 and misses starts. Comes back in 2012 and misses more starts. Comes back in 2013 and the only thing he didn’t miss were barrels.
He can’t stay healthy. He’s quite a talent but he can’t stay on the field.
Has anyone ever seen a big budget team take so many risks on broken/mediocre players like the cvbs do? It makes no sense, that a team could spend so much money with so little to show for it. Every roster move since the Lester signing has been a disaster in terms of return on investment. Baez, Bryant, Rizzo and Contreras are the only reason Theo Epstein still has a job right now.
I know you’re a troll, but can you explain the constant misspelling of Cubs to cvbs? I think I’m missing something.
He’s just dumb. I blame CPS.
I think he is in junior high still
Okay I thought we had worked though your spelling issue…. it’s Cubs. Also, Zobrist, Darvish, even Heyward on a WAR basis was a good signing. All those signings were post Lester. But please continue talking nonsense.
Theo has a job because he has built a team that made the playoffs 4 times including 3 NLCS, a world series, he’s won 3 total world series, and he’s considered one of the top 3 baseball exec’s in the game.
I’ll give you Zobrist…
There’s is absolutely no stat that shows Heyward was a good signing. He has one of the worst, and most immovable, contacts in all of baseball.
And Darvish has put up 2 good months over 2 years… I’d probably hold off on calling that a successful signing at this point.
I mean Heyward has put up 2 WAR or more seasons every year in Chicago. He’s overpaid for sure but he’s not actually broken or hurting the team. Darvish had a pretty good year overall his second half was fantastic but his first half last year was above average too.
That’s just wrong… What WAR are you even looking at?
Heyward’s fWAR: 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 1.9
Heyward’s bWAR: 1.3, 2.2, 1.6, 2.0
They didn’t give him that contract to be worse than a league average player. That was an awful deal any way you look at it. The only reason he’s not hurting the team is because they can afford to outspend their mistakes.
And Yu Darvish has an ERA over 5 in the first half last year with a 1.34 WHIP. He wasn’t even close to above average… Again, I have no clue where you are getting your numbers from, but they’re just wrong.
The only reason? Oh you forgot about that world championship! Haha.
You know the one that you still cannot get over. The one that tears your hating heart apart. You know that one!
Brandon Morrow has to be papier-mâché, with a rip rip here, a tear tear there, here a rip there a rip, everywhere a rip rip..
ChiSox_Fan I think you’ve had a few too many Falstaff’s. The Cubs will definitely finish higher than 4th place. I’m sure the Sox are proud to have you as a fan.
No we’re not.
Haha
What’s the over-under on 1 inning pitched this season?
I will take the over but not by much
And the sun is hot. This guy is a lost cause, unfortunately.