Biceps puts Morrow on DL
This is why the Cubs talked since the day they signed reliever Brandon Morrow about being careful with his workload and watching his health.
The Cubs put their closer on the 10- day disabled list for the second time this season Thursday, this time because of biceps inflammation that had bothered him for more than a week.
‘‘ We thought it was manageable, but now it’s not,’’ manager Joe Maddon said. ‘‘ We don’t anticipate him being gone for a whole long time, but it just seems to be prudent to go this course right now.’’
Morrow, whose velocity was down noticeably in his last appearance Sunday, had an MRI exam Thursday.
‘‘ It’s nothing that can’t clear up with rest,’’ said Morrow, 33, who has 22 saves and a 1.47 ERA this season.
Morrow, who missed most of the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons with forearm, finger and shoulder injuries, spent almost two weeks on the DL last month because of back tightness.
‘‘ I seem to rotate injuries,’’ he said. ‘‘ I never hurt in the same place twice. . . . I’m hopeful it’s just a muscle strain that can clear up.’’
The move was backdated the maximum- allowed three days. Rookie right- hander James Norwood, who had been optioned to Class AAA Iowa earlier in the week with the return from paternity leave of Carl Edwards Jr., quickly was returned to the 25man roster because of Morrow’s injury.
Also Thursday, right- hander Anthony Bass was reinstated from the DL, and left- hander Rob Zastryzny was optioned to Iowa.
And center fielder Albert Almora Jr. rejoined the team from familyemergency medical leave, with infielder David Bote being optioned to Iowa. Almora had left the team last weekend in San Diego to attend to his wife. He said she was doing well.
Stars rest
The Cubs’ two starting All- Stars, catcher Willson Contreras and second baseman Javy Baez, were out of the starting lineup against the Cardinals. Baez entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.
‘‘ Anybody who went to the AllStar Game, I really thought it was wise to give them one more day if we could,’’ said Maddon, who called it an easy decision.
It might have contributed to the Cardinals’ first run. Marcell Ozuna’s two- out liner toward center in the first inning went off the glove of Ben Zobrist, who started at second in place of Baez. Yadier Molina scored from second on the play.
First- round pick injured
Shortstop Nico Hoerner, the Cubs’ first- round draft choice last month, has been shut down for the rest of the minor- league season after suffering a partially torn ligament in his left elbow on a diving play. He’s not expected to need surgery and actually hit a home run later in the game.
‘‘ It could have been worse,’’ said Hoerner, who stayed for the game after seeing doctors in Chicago and met with most of the position players.
This and that
Kyle Schwarber said his arms were still sore from the Home Run Derby on Monday. How concerned was Maddon?
‘‘ I don’t know how much woodchopping he does in the wintertime,’’ he said. ‘‘ Or how much him and Babe the ox get around the Dakotas or Minnesota.’’
♦ Anthony Rizzo batted leadoff for the fourth consecutive game and had two doubles and a walk. Maddon said he’ll lead off again Friday.