Cubs shut down Morrow for season
The back end of the Chicago Cubs' bullpen is in trouble.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced Tuesday that right-hander Brandon Morrow has been shut down for the season, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, who adds the pitcher is expected to be ready for spring training.
"It was time to do the right thing and let this thing heal," Epstein said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer.
Morrow was examined by a specialist, whose findings revealed a bone bruise in the pitcher's right elbow wasn't healing, according to the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales.
The news comes four days after the Cubs ruled out Pedro Strop for the rest of the regular season because of a hamstring strain. Strop had been filling in as the team's closer with Morrow out of action.
Chicago will continue to use a closer-by-committee approach with the duo out of action, Epstein added, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
The 34-year-old Morrow hadn't pitched since July 15 because of the injury.
Morrow was signed by the Cubs to a two-year deal in December. He recorded 22 saves for Chicago in 30 2/3 innings before he was sidelined.