Setback after surgery costs Morrow another season

Chicago Cubs reliever Brandon Morrow is out for the year following another setback in his recovery from right elbow surgery, according to team president Theo Epstein.

Morrow, who hasn’t pitched in a game since July 2018, had the arthroscopic procedure last November.

“He certainly worked really hard in an attempt to come back and tried a lot of different techniques and procedures, and just wasn’t able to get over the hump,” Epstein said Wednesday.

The Cubs signed Morrow to a two-year, $21-million (U.S.) deal in December 2017. He had 22 saves and a 1.47 ERA in 35 appearances in the first half of the 2018 season before the elbow issue flared up.

There were plenty joining Morrow on the injured list Wednesday:

Colorado Rockies placed starting pitcher Jon Gray on the 60-day list because of a left foot fracture, ending his season. The 27-year-old Gray is 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA this season.

Pittsburgh put right-handers Chris Archer and Clay Holmes on the 10-day list. Archer, who was removed after one inning from a Tuesday start against Washington, is suffering from right shoulder inflammation. He has not won since June 6.

Atlanta placed catcher Brian McCann on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain. He left left Tuesday night’s 5-1 win over the Marlins after the third inning.

Los Angeles Angels rookie starting pitcher Griffin Canning is back on the injured list.

Angels manager Brad Ausmus said the right-hander experienced a recurrence of the elbow inflammation that sidelined him earlier this month. MILESTONE WIN: Clayton Kershaw admitted it was “special” passing Sandy Koufax.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander earned his 166th career victory in the Dodgers’16-3 rout of the Blue Jays on Tuesday, taking over sole possession of fifth place on the club’s wins list.

“All the historical stuff is for me to look back on when I retire,” Kershaw said. “I’m not too focused on that, but try not to take it for granted.”