Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop news, videos

[http://www.csnchicago.com] Blackhawks Bulls Cubs White Sox Bears Fire Notre Dame Big Ten Preps Video Podcasts Golf Sports Business Inside Look Beer Money Horse Racing NASCAR NCAA Sky CSN Fantasy Sports CSN Talent TV Listings Channel Finder MORE TV Listings Channel Finder Podcasts Alerts Contests Shop Tickets Rotoworld Golf Channel Comcast SportsNet Search Latest Video 3:25 Bases Loaded: Theo Epstein on his new extension 1:47 Theo talks about five-year extension with Cubs 3:14 Ricketts announces five-year extension for Theo Epstein 2:47 Ventura waiting till the end of the year for contract talks 2:10 Eaton on Ventura: 'He's a tremendous manager' 3:23 Bears Huddle: Bears look to avoid 0-4 start vs. Lions 1:57 Hoiberg: 'We've got good energy' with Wade, Rondo 1:48 Wade: 'We're trying to learn everything on the fly' Pedro Strop Cubs plan to hit the ground running as they welcome back Pedro Strop Cubs plan to hit the ground running as they welcome back Pedro Strop By Tony Andracki September 23, 2016 12:43 PM Latest Cubs Talk Cubs, Theo Epstein agree to five-year contract extension 12 Days of Cubs: The complete list 101 wins for the Cubs: A look back at every victory of the 2016 season Pedro Strop isn't here for a haircut. John Lackey's money quote can seemingly be applied to any situation, but it fits perfectly with Strop, who was activated off the disabled list Friday with an eye on getting him ready for October. The veteran reliever has been on the shelf since Aug. 11 after tearing the meniscus in his knee and then suffering a setback with a groin strain in rehab. Joe Maddon and the Cubs had a plan to get Strop in Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting the ground running in an effort to ramp him up for the postseason. "Just get him in the game," Maddon said. "That's it. I don't have any real concern about the seventh or eighth inning. Just get him in the game. Get him pitching again." Strop pitched a clean seventh inning Friday, walking the first batter he faced on four pitches before settling down to get a strikeout and then an inning-ending double play ball. The Cubs plan to have Strop pitch in two or three other games after Friday before the regular season comes to a close in 10 days. When Strop went down initially, he assured he would be back and ready to roll for the playoffs and the Cubs were encouraged with his simulated game earlier in the week. Before he got hurt, Strop was enjoying possibly the best season of his career with a sparkling 2.82 ERA and 0.90 WHIP while striking out 11.5 batters per nine innings. He also had 21 holds and his return changes the complexion of the Cubs' bullpen, adding another elite option with Hector Rondon to set up for dominant closer Aroldis Chapman. Tags: Chicago Cubs , Pedro Strop Getting into playoff shape, Pedro Strop close to rejoining Cubs bullpen Getting into playoff shape, Pedro Strop close to rejoining Cubs bullpen By Patrick Mooney September 20, 2016 8:15 PM Latest Cubs Talk Cubs, Theo Epstein agree to five-year contract extension 12 Days of Cubs: The complete list 101 wins for the Cubs: A look back at every victory of the 2016 season Getting into playoff shape, Pedro Strop passed another test that put him on the verge of rejoining the Cubs bullpen after the series of injuries that have sidelined him for six weeks. “Everything was just perfect,” Strop said after throwing around 20 pitches during Tuesday’s simulated game at Wrigley Field, a development that might have more October ramifications than the real game the Cubs played against the last-place Cincinnati Reds that night. The Cubs plan to activate Strop on Friday and have him face the St. Louis Cardinals that afternoon in a potential playoff preview. From there, the Cubs anticipate the hard-throwing right-hander to need only four more innings before the postseason. Strop — who has a 2.89 ERA and 21 holds — tore the meniscus in his left knee on Aug. 10 and later strained his right groin during the recovery process. The Cubs survived with Carl Edwards Jr.’s development, Justin Grimm’s reemergence and Aroldis Chapman’s intimidating ninth-inning presence. [SHOP CUBS: Get your NL Central champions gear right here ] Once the Cubs get through this weekend’s series against the Cardinals in Wrigleyville — which will have a direct impact on the wild-card race — look for manager Joe Maddon to follow more of a script on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati. The Cubs are leaning toward a bullpen night next week at PNC Park, and the game score and situation won’t dictate Strop’s appearances. Think of it like spring training for the National League Central champions. “Stropy’s fine,” Maddon said. “It would just be a matter of being sharp, because physically he’s fine. He moved around well, he covered the bases well, fielded his position well. There was no holding back anything. That could be very important for us.” Tags: Chicago Cubs , Pedro Strop Pedro Strop ramping up for October and getting ready to strengthen Cubs bullpen Pedro Strop ramping up for October and getting ready to strengthen Cubs bullpen By Patrick Mooney September 15, 2016 7:10 PM Latest Cubs Talk Cubs, Theo Epstein agree to five-year contract extension 12 Days of Cubs: The complete list 101 wins for the Cubs: A look back at every victory of the 2016 season Pedro Strop wore a blue “HOPE 2016” T-shirt that symbolized this team’s World Series expectations. It also reflected his optimism after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee in mid-August – and then straining his right groin while trying to come back to what the Cubs believe will be a dominant playoff bullpen. Ramping up for October, Strop reported no issues after completing a 20-pitch bullpen session on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Manager Joe Maddon believes the hard-throwing reliever is getting “close” to full strength and again becoming another option to set up in front of Aroldis Chapman. [SHOP: Get your Cubs gear right here ] “Everything was like game mode right there,” Strop said before the Cubs tried to beat the Milwaukee Brewers and clinch a National League Central title. “I feel good.” Strop – who’s put up a 2.89 ERA, 21 holds and 56 strikeouts in almost 44 innings – plans to go through at least one more bullpen session and hopes to return to game action next week. “That’s what everybody’s thinking right now: Get ready for October,” Strop said. “Don’t push anything now. Just make sure you’re pain-free. We don’t need another setback.” Tags: Chicago Cubs , Pedro Strop Load more Cubs plan to hit the ground running as they welcome back Pedro Strop Getting into playoff shape, Pedro Strop close to rejoining Cubs bullpen Pedro Strop ramping up for October and getting ready to strengthen Cubs bullpen As Hector Rondon nears return, postseason bullpen coming into focus for Cubs How will Cubs bullpen adapt without Pedro Strop? Even while facing knee surgery, Pedro Strop expects to be part of playoff push with Cubs Cubs bullpen in flux with Pedro Strop down and Hector Rondon sidelined FOLLOW US Facebook Twitter Google Plus Instagram ©2016 Comcast SportsNet Chicago, LLC A Division of NBC Universal Advertise Affiliates Employment Opportunities Internships Independent Programming Report Parents Guide to TV Ratings Press Releases Contact Us Tickets CSN Talent Privacy Policy Purchase Policy Term of Service Live FAQ Ad Choices GET NEWSLETTERS & ALERTS SIGN UP