Cubs Starter Throws Bullpen As He Progresses Toward Return

Marcus Stroman has thrown two bullpen sessions since he went on the injured list and is eligible to be activated when the Chicago Cubs return home.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman threw a second bullpen session in Toronto on Friday and manager David Ross remains hopeful that the right-hander could return when he is eligible to be reinstated next week.

Stroman and the Cubs are in Toronto to play a weekend set with the Blue Jays.

Stroman threw a 50-pitch bullpen session on Friday, per the Chicago Tribune. That was three days after his first bullpen session, which was 40 pitches on Tuesday in New York when the Cubs faced the Mets.

Things seem to be lining up well for Stroman, who went on the injured list on Aug. 5 with a right hip issue and is eligible to return on Wednesday. The Cubs will be home against their cross-town rivals, the White Sox, that day.

It’s not clear if Stroman would pitch on Wednesday, or if he would even be activated on Wednesday.

Ross told MLB.com the hope is that Stroman will only miss one scheduled start.

Stroman has been one of the Cubs’ best pitchers this season, but his performance took a noticeable dip after the All-Star break, as the hip issue became more of a problem.
Stroman is 10-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 23 starts, with 111 strikeouts and 50 walks.

In his last five starts before going on the IL he gave up at least four runs in four of them, went 2-3 and didn’t finish four innings in his last three starts.

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