A World Series winner two Novembers ago, owner Tom Ricketts' team still has a championship core. But the Cubs haven't done much to build on that this offseason.
If Addison Russell plays again for the Cubs this season, Chicago manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that it won't be a distraction for the team. Russell was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball last week.
How Joe Maddon utilizes his relievers without a clear-cut closer figures to play a big role in how far Chicago goes in the playoffs.
Cubs closer Brandon Morrow, sidelined since mid-July by a bone bruise, won't pitch again this season, Theo Epstein, the team's president of baseball operations, said Tuesday.
Joe Maddon took issue with Willson Contreras standing at home admiring a blast that ended up hitting the wall.
Chicago Cubs closer Pedro Strop will not pitch again in the regular season after straining his left hamstring Saturday night. The Cubs said Strop's status for the postseason isn't known at this time.
