Joe Nathan will join the Cubs on Sunday, manager Joe Maddon said.
Now the Cubs have to determine quickly whether the arrival of the 41-year-old Nathan, the Wednesday acquisition of left-hander Mike Montgomery from the Mariners and the emergence of rookie Carl Edwards Jr. will provide adequate bullpen effectiveness and stability for the playoff stretch drive.
"I do like the names," Maddon said Saturday night. "Is it enough? I think it is."
Nevertheless, President Theo Epstein and his staff will continue to explore ways to improve all facets of the roster _ including the bullpen.
Maddon likes that Nathan, a six-time American League All-Star closer who has 377 career saves, is agreeable to any role. But Maddon will be cautious with him as he's recovering from his second elbow surgery, and with Edwards, 24, who has made a combined 37 appearances at Triple-A Iowa and the Cubs this season.
"Consecutive appearances or three out of four (games) would be tough to do," Maddon said. "Those two guys, in particular, you have to be careful not to push them too hard."
Maddon added that Trevor Cahill, who started a minor league rehab assignment last week, will rejoin the bullpen at some point.
"(But) you just don't know," Maddon said. "It looks good on paper. But you have to get them out there and play. From my perspective, for them to be good, you can't push them too often and hope they pitch well but not too often."
The Cubs won't announce their corresponding move regarding Nathan until before Sunday's game. Adam Warren, who has pitched only once since the All-Star break entering Saturday's game, and Edwards have minor-league options. But Edwards has moved into a more prominent bullpen role.
