Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps), who is hoping to throw off a mound soon, won't be immediately inserted back into the closer's role when he comes off the disabled list, according to manager Joe Maddon. Because the minor league seasons are ending soon, Morrow also won't be able to go on a rehab assignment. The Cubs will be cautious with the right-hander, as they'd like to have him at 100 percent for a playoff run. [...]

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) said he's had two good flat-ground throwing sessions and is looking to throw off a mound soon. A rehab stint is unlikely with the minor league season nearing an end. Morrow has been out since July 15 and is running out of time to make an impact for his owners. He was successful when healthy and should remain stashed, but his owners are surely getting impatient. Pedro Strop has mainly been the ninth-inning replacement, although he's struggled a bit of[...]

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) threw 25 pitches off a mound on Saturday and said he hasn't lost strength in his arm. He is categorizing his injury as a "bone bruise" and "stress reaction." The right-hander is likely to need two to three more bullpen sessions before going on a rehab assignment. That means he probably won't be able to return to the team until September. Pedro Strop has been excellent in Morrow's absence, but Morrow figures to regain the closer gig when he's healthy.

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we'll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire in Week 21. One-inning middle relievers are the constant sources for holds and specialists can manage to secure a hold even with one out. However, while specialists can get many holds, their fantasy value is limited to how effective they are in their specific role. Long relievers are not a strong source of holds, they are often used in emergency or m[...]

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) will attempt to throw off a mound this weekend. "It's just kind of a deep thing that's just sticking around. I can't put my finger on it," said Morrow, who went on the disabled list when the pain didn't go away through the break. "I think the muscle is healed though. So throwing around some discomfort is going to be OK. I'm going to see if it's good when I continue to stretch it out." Morrow is optimistic that he won't be out the rest of the season, b[...]

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) played catch on Monday and will do so again on Wednesday. He has been slowly rehabbing from right biceps inflammation. Morrow will need to resume throwing off a mound before he can think about rejoining the team. He should jump right back into the closer's role when he's ready after posting a 1.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 31 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings and 22 saves. Pedro Strop continues to fill in in the ninth with Morrow out.

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) is playing catch in the outfield on Thursday. Morrow has been slow to recover from his injury, but he should remain stashed in all formats, as he'll likely jump right back into the closer's role when he's ready. He has a pristine 1.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 31 K's in 30 2/3 innings along with 22 saves. Pedro Strop has been the man filling in to close out games for the Cubbies with Morrow sidelined.

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop has taken the opportunity to grab the closer's role in Chicago with Brandon Morrow going on the disabled list with a biceps injury. Those that were hoping that Morrow would be off of the disabled list on Saturday were disappointed to hear that he needs more time to get healthy. With that being the case, there needs to be another man to close out games for the Cubbies and that appear[...]

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) said there's still a "little bit of soreness" in his arm, but he thinks he's "going in the right direction." It means that Morrow won't be back anytime soon. In the meantime, Pedro Strop is your best bet for saves in Chicago, but Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. are also options in the ninth. Continue to hang onto Morrow, as he'll slide back into the closer's role when he's ready.

The stove is warming up! Just when we were all being entertained by the All-Star Game being the most 2018 baseball game of the year, the Dodgers and Indians were busy making their teams better for the playoff push. While we're far from done with trade rumors and actual trades, two big dominoes did indeed fall during the break. The Los Angeles Dodgers got Manny Machado from Baltimore, of course. More relevant to bullpens, the Cleveland Indians picked up both Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from San [...]