Chicago Cubs

Cubs' Bullpen Dealing With Slew of Injuries as Season Nears

The Cubs open the season March 28 against the Rangers

The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen was a weak point for the team down the stretch last season, and it looks like those issues could linger into the regular season as the club deals with a slew of injuries.

The team is already without Brandon Morrow to start the season, as he’s expected to miss the first month of the campaign due to an arm injury, but things are going from bad to worse. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that reliever Tony Barnette is dealing with right shoulder soreness, and that he has been shut down.

That likely puts Barnette out for the team when the season opens later this month.

The Cubs are also without set-up man Pedro Strop, who has a hamstring injury. The reliever insists that he will be ready by Opening Day, but the team has not yet confirmed that he will be in the mix when the regular season opens in Texas.

Finally, newly acquired Xavier Cedeno is also dealing with an injury, as his wrist injury has kept him out of Cactus League action.

Contact Us