CHICAGO _ Cubs closer Brandon Morrow suffered a setback in his rehab from right elbow surgery and has been shut down until further notice.
Morrow suffered some soreness after throwing a bullpen session earlier this week at the Cubs facility in Mesa, Ariz., according to manager Joe Maddon.
Morrow had no firm timetable on a return, but until Saturday's news he was expected to be back with the Cubs sometime in early to mid May. Now it's unknown when he'll be back, and with Morrow's injury history it's probably safe to expect a prolonged absence.
"The bounce-back after the last time out wasn't as good, so we've got to back off him once again and slow things down," Maddon said. "It's just where he's at. It's not unlike what had been going on earlier (with Morrow). It was all trending very well."
The Cubs haven't seen Morrow on the mound in a major league game since last July 15 in San Diego. The Cubs announced in November he had undergone elbow surgery after the season and wouldn't be ready for the start of the 2019 season.
Pedro Strop, the de facto closer, is 2 for 2 in save opportunities and has held opposing hitters to a .158 average. But without Morrow, the Cubs' bullpen is going to be under a microscope, especially with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel unsigned. The Cubs repeatedly have said they have faith in the bullpen corps and don't intend to seek outside help.
The Cubs received better news regarding starter Jon Lester, who threw 45 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and could return this week, depending on how he recovers Sunday. Maddon wouldn't say when Lester would be back, but wouldn't rule out the upcoming series against the Dodgers after a "rigorous" sim game.
"It's not impossible," Maddon said.
As for two other injured Cubs relievers, Xavier Cedeno (left wrist) is starting a rehab stint Saturday at Double-A Tennessee and Tony Barnette (right shoulder) will begin his rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Iowa.
