Injury drops Strop out of closer mix

Chicago Cubs reliever Pedro Strop has a strained right hamstring, eliminating the likely candidate to close at the start of the season as ex-Jay Brandon Morrow recovers from elbow surgery. Strop is able to play catch but won’t participate in game-related drills during the next week. Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. and Brad Brach are the Cubs’ other closing options.