Stroman allowed three runs on five hits across 6.2 innings and did not factor into the decision in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
Stroman pitched well outside of the two home runs he allowed, continuing his solid run since returning from the injured list in early July. Over his past five starts, the righty has logged 27 innings while allowing just five earned runs. Stroman had a slow start to the season before missing a month with right shoulder inflammation, but he's now been able to whittle his ERA down to an even 4.00. He'll look to keep it up in his next scheduled start Tuesday against a Nationals squad that is now without sluggers Juan Soto and Josh Bell.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Throws six shutout innings in win
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Stroman (3-5) allowed eight hits and a walk while striking out three over six scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Giants.
Stroman was dialed in, throwing 67 of 95 pitches for strikes. The eight hits actually matched his second-highest total allowed this season, but he was able to limit the opposition to one or zero runs for the fourth straight start since returning from a shoulder injury. The right-hander has a 3.99 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 62:18 K:BB through 67.2 innings. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come during a road matchup in St. Louis next week.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Strikes out five batters
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Stroman did not factor into the decision against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits while striking out five and walking two over six innings.
Stroman pitched well despite not factoring into the decision. He threw 55 of 86 pitches for strikes across six frames. In his first two games since returning from the IL, Stroman didn't last beyond 4.1 innings, so seeing him go six innings is a positive sign that his stamina is returning to pre-injury levels. The righty earned a quality start in Saturday's contest and lowered his ERA to 4.38 on the season.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Fans six in matinee
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Stroman did not factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Mets. He struck out six.
He pitched well against one of his former teams, but manager David Ross lifted Stroman at 83 pitches in what was the right-hander's second start back from a shoulder injury. He was limited to just 59 pitches in his return. With this gradual progression, we should expect the reins to come off for the most part shortly after the All-Star break.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Friday's start postponed
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Stroman and the Cubs won't play Friday against the Mets after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.
Friday's matchup will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday. Stroman will start the first game of the twin bill while Drew Smyly takes the mound in the nightcap, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. The right-hander returned from the injured list last Saturday and tossed four scoreless innings against the Dodgers.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Goes four innings in return
Rotowire
Stroman (shoulder) threw four scoreless innings Saturday versus the Dodgers. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three, and he didn't factor in the decision.
Stroman missed a month with right shoulder inflammation. He was limited in this appearance, throwing 59 pitches (37 strikes), though he was effective after his stint on the injured list. It's an encouraging return for the right-hander, who still owns a mediocre 4.91 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB through 51.1 innings in 10 starts this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Mets next weekend, though it's likely he'll still be working on a pitch count for that outing as he continues to stretch out to a full workload.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Officially activated
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Stroman (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list prior to his start Saturday against the Dodgers,Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Stroman had previously been announced as the Cubs' starter for Saturday's game, though he is now officially back after a month-long absence. He has a 5.32 ERA across 47.1 innings on the season, but his 45:12 K:BB indicates better results may be on the way.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Starting Saturday
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Stroman (shoulder) will start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Stroman spent a month on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, but he made a rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Iowa and allowed five runs in 2.2 innings. Since the right-hander is starting Saturday's matchup, Drew Smyly (oblique) will likely start Sunday's series finale.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Throws bullpen session
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Stroman (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
He recently rejoined the team after one rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, and the bullpen session could be the final step before the right-hander returns from the injured list. Stroman will continue to be evaluated after Thursday's session, and there should be more details regarding his status within the next few days.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Likely for weekend start
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Stroman (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list and start during the Cubs' weekend series against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Stroman threw a bullpen session Thursday and apparently felt well after the activity. Drew Smyly (oblique) is also expected to be activated from the injured list this weekend, which likely means that two of Matt Swarmer, Adrian Sampson and Mark Leiter will lose their rotation spot. Stroman has yet to get on track this season, as he has a 5.32 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 47.1 frames.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Back with team, may be activated
Rotowire
Stroman (shoulder) returned from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in front of the Cubs' coaching and training staffs in the next couple of days before the team determines his next step, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Stroman has been on the 15-day injured list since early June with right shoulder inflammation and didn't look particularly sharp in his rehab outing with Iowa on Sunday, as he was tagged for five earned runs on seven hits and one walk. With that in mind, it wouldn't be surprising if the Cubs opted to send Stroman out for a second rehab start so that he gets more stretched out and hopefully tightens up his command. Expect more definitive word on Stroman's next steps to come by the weekend.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Beginning rehab assignment Sunday
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Stroman (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Stroman has been throwing consistently over the last week, and he reached 40 pitches during a bullpen session last Saturday before throwing 36 pitches in a live batting practice session Tuesday. The right-hander threw another bullpen Friday and has now been cleared to return to game action with the Triple-A club. It's not yet clear how many rehab starts he'll require, but he's closing in on a return.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Throwing bullpen session Friday
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Stroman (shoulder) is throwing another bullpen session Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Stroman will toss another bullpen session as he continues ramping up his activity following right shoulder inflammation. He'll likely start a rehab assignment in the next week and could return to the Cubs close to the All Star-break.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Progresses to live BP
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Stroman (shoulder) threw 36 pitches in Tuesday's live batting practice session, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
He progressed to mound work just a little over a week ago, but this was the first time he threw to live hitters. Stroman will likely either throw another live batting practice session or advance to a rehab assignment.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Throws approximately 40 pitches
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Stroman (shoulder) threw approximately 40 pitches during a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Stroman's throwing session Saturday marked the second time he's thrown off a mound since landing on the injured list, and he tested his full pitch repertoire during the bullpen. The Cubs return home next week, and the right-hander should have a chance to join the team to throw live BP.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Bullpen session on tap
Rotowire
Stroman (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
It's unclear if Stroman will use all his pitches or throw at full intensity Wednesday, but the activity marks another checkpoint reached in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation. Stroman has been sidelined June 10 with the injury and is likely at least a week away from making his return from the 15-day injured list.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Ready for mound work
Rotowire
Stroman (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session within the next few days, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Stroman's inflamed right shoulder apparently responded well to playing catch last week, so he's poised to get back on the mound in what will mark the next step forward in his throwing progression. Once Stroman is comfortable using all his pitches during bullpen sessions, he'll advance to facing hitters in live batting practice before throwing a simulated game or heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment.
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Cubs' Marcus Stroman: Plays catch
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Stroman (shoulder) played catch Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Stroman hasn't pitched in nearly two weeks while battling shoulder inflammation. The fact he's now able to throw again is certainly a good sign, but he still has several steps to go before being activated off the injured list.
Stroman has been sidelined for a week due to right shoulder inflammation, and he's been shut down over the last few days while resting his injury. A timetable for the right-hander's return is unlikely to be revealed until he resumes throwing, but it seems possible that he'll require more than the minimum of 15 days on the injured list.
