Pedro Strop RP

Strop signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Wednesday as a non-roster invitee, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Strop signed with the Cubs for the final month of the 2020 season, and he'll return to the team to compete for a major-league roster spot during spring training. The right-hander failed to appear in the big leagues with Chicago last year but has made 54 relief appearances with the Cubs and Reds over the past two seasons. During that time, he posted a 4.91 ERA and 52:26 K:BB over 44 innings.

Strop signed with the Cubs on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Strop was released by the Reds on Tuesday, but he'll return to a familiar destination with the Cubs. He'll report to alternate camp initially, but he could certainly join the major-league roster at some point, especially given the Cubs' bullpen woes this season. The right-hander made four relief appearances with the Reds this year, posting a 3.86 ERA and 3.00 WHIP over 2.1 innings.

Strop was released by the Reds on Tuesday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

The 35-year-old walked six batters in just 2.1 innings of work this season prior to being sidelined by a groin injury. While he recorded an ERA below 3.00 for five straight seasons from 2014 to 2018, his age and recent injury combined with his struggles last season (4.97 ERA) will likely make him a fairly unappealing option on the free agent market.

The Reds activated Strop (groin) from the injured list and designated him for assignment, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It's a little surprising that the Reds have parted ways with Strop, but this was done to make room on the 40-man roster for Jose Garcia. Strop was late in reporting to the Reds' summer camp before the sprint season began, struggled with his control once the season started (six walks in 2.1 innings) and then went on the IL with a groin injury.

Strop (groin) faced hitters at the Reds' alternate training site Wednesday and is nearing a return from the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Strop was placed on the injured list Aug. 11, retroactive to Aug. 8. The right-hander has appeared in four games this season, allowing one run while striking out three over 2.1 innings.

Strop was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin Tuesday.

The move was made retroactive to Saturday, so Strop could return as soon as next Monday, though it's not clear whether or not he'll be able to do so, as previous reports indicated that he was set to miss an extended period. Josh VanMeter was recalled in a corresponding move.

Strop (groin) could be out for an extended period of time, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Strop has yet to be placed on the injured list after leaving Friday's game against the Brewers with a groin injury, though it sounds like that move could be coming soon if "an extended period" translates to "at least 10 days." Michael Lorenzen and Amir Garrett will handle top setup duties in front of Raisel Iglesias.

Strop suffered a groin injury in Friday's win against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Strop was removed from Friday's contest after issuing two walks and failing to record any outs. Manager David Bell didn't know the severity of the injury following the contest.

Strop has struggled with his rhythm and command since returning to summer training, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I mean, body-wise, I feel really good, I just need to get a couple of things, like game-feel, like getting real hitters to the plate," Strop said on Monday. "Sometimes when you play against your teammates, there's stuff you're going to miss. Sometimes, me personally, I'm afraid to go inside to one of my teammates. I'm pretty sure when we have our first game against Detroit, I'll want to be able to execute my pitches inside so that way I can use the outside of the plate with my sliders and all that."

Strop had pitched well in spring training prior to the shutdown, and is likely to get up to speed in the near future. He's one of a handful of relievers the Reds could turn to if Raisel Iglesias struggles as the closer, along with Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson.

Strop got off to a late start in spring training but pitched four innings while allowing one run on two hits and a walk, striking out two.

Strop is one of many options for the Reds to help set up Raisel Iglesias, along with Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson. His performance last season was hampered by a hamstring injury suffered in spring and a neck injury that sidelined him during the campaign.

Strop signed a one-year, $1.825 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Reds continue to make moves this offseason, adding a veteran reliever in Strop to help shore up their bullpen. The 34-year-old struggled to a 4.97 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 41.2 innings with the Cubs in 2019, though he posted a combined 2.61 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 across his prior five seasons with Chicago. Strop figures to assume a setup role in front of closer Raisel Iglesias, though given his late-game experience, he could be a sneaky candidate for saves should an opening arise in the ninth inning.

Strop (2-5) allowed two runs and did not record an out while getting tagged with the loss Thursday against the Phillies.

The Cubs entered the ninth inning up 5-1 but the wheels came off for several relievers in a stunning loss. Rowan Wick started the inning before allowing two hits and a run, at which point Chicago turned to Strop to close things out. The veteran righty was ineffective, however, as he quickly gave up a hit and hit a batter before getting the hook. Derek Holland then allowed a walkoff grand slam to Bryce Harper, saddling Strop and the Cubs with an unexpected 7-5 loss. Strop now has a disappointing 5.46 ERA this season, though he figures to remain in a high-leverage role while Craig Kimbrel (knee) is out.

Strop struck out one and walked one through a scoreless ninth inning to record his 10th save in a 6-3 win over the Reds on Sunday.

Strop allowed a walk, but it was the lone baserunner that would reach as he nailed down his 10th save. With the Cubs dealing with numerous injuries in the bullpen, Strop may get a few save opportunities in the short term. Strop has a 4.85 ERA and a 31:10 K:BB through 34 appearances this season.

Strop (neck) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Strop was sent to the 10-day injured list July 27 due to neck tightness, but he's been cleared by Chicago's medical staff to return to action. Brandon Kintzler (pectoral) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. With both Kintzler and Craig Kimbrel (knee) out of commission, the Cubs may turn to Strop in save situations until their bullpen returns to health.

Manager Joe Maddon said Strop (neck) is "very close" to pitching in games, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Strop landed on the injured list at the end of July with neck tightness, but the fact that he's nearing a return to game action suggests his stay on the shelf won't be a lengthy one.

Strop was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to left neck tightness, retroactive to Saturday Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This move by the Cubs was expected, though it remains to be seen how long Strop will need to return to health. He'll be eligible to be reinstated beginning Aug. 6. Duane Underwood was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Strop is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear as to what kind of injury Strop is dealing with, but his fastball velocity has been noticeably down all season, especially in recent weeks, per Bastian. The club has yet to make the move official.

Strop was the pitcher of record in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Giants after giving up three runs on four hits over his lone inning of relief.

Tasked with protecting a 4-2 lead entering the eighth inning, Strop couldn't get the job done. He retired two of the first four batters and nearly escaped the inning with the Cubs still up a run, but he surrendered back-to-back run-scoring doubles to squander his team's advantage. Strop's fantasy value already cratered once Craig Kimbrel made his debut in late June, and now the veteran right-hander is looking like an untrustworthy commodity in leagues that count holds as a category, too. Strop has blown leads in three of his last six outings, which could prompt manager Joe Maddon to go in another direction the next time a setup chance arises.

Strop allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while retiring just two batters in the Cubs' eventual 4-3 win over the Pirates on Friday.

Strop was tasked with protecting a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning but allowed Pittsburgh to tie the game on a Starling Marte three-run homer. It's been a tough season for Strop, as the 34-year-old has missed time with a hamstring injury and is sitting with a 5.06 ERA through 21.1 innings. He's also been supplanted as the team's closer with the addition of Craig Kimbrel.

Strop pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to record the save in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Mets.

After allowing two runs and taking the loss in his last appearance, Strop enjoyed a bounce-back effort. The righty now has a 5.17 ERA and nine saves this season, though his end-game opportunities could dwindle as soon as Craig Kimbrel is deemed ready to join the MLB roster.