Pedro Strop
RP FA
Wed 5/5/21 4:14 PM

Strop elected free agency Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
EDGE Analysis
After being removed from the Cubs' active roster April 17, Strop didn't report to the team's alternate site, instead choosing to return home to his native Dominican Republic. Since Strop didn't have any intention of heading to Triple-A Iowa for the start of the minor-league season, the two sides agreed to part ways while leaving the door open for a reunion down the road. For now, Strop will aim to find work with another organization, presumably one that can present him with a clearer path to a spot in a big-league bullpen.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Sun 5/2/21 11:01 PM

Strop has taken a personal leave of absence from the Cubs, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
EDGE Analysis
Strop was sent to the Cubs' alternate training site in mid-April, but the right-hander posted a picture of himself in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. The Cubs have yet to comment on Strop's status, and it's not yet clear when he could return to the team.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Sat 4/17/21 1:34 PM

Strop was returned to the Cubs' alternate training site Saturday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Strop had joined the major-league roster as a replacement player over the past several days, and he tossed two scoreless innings in two relief appearances. However, he'll head back to the team's alternate camp after Brandon Workman and Dan Winkler were reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Tue 4/13/21 11:15 PM

Strop (1-0) worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.
EDGE Analysis
Strop picked up his first win since July 19, 2019, as he only pitched 2.1 innings in the majors last year for the Reds. The veteran was added to the Cubs' roster Monday as a replacement player with three relievers placed on the COVID-19 injured list. The win is a nice moment for the fan favorite, but Strop doesn't hold a ton of fantasy value in his current role.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Mon 4/12/21 6:50 PM

Strop was selected as a replacement player by the Cubs on Monday.
EDGE Analysis
The unusual designation means Strop can be removed from the 40-man roster without passing through waivers. He's needed on an emergency basis with the Cubs placing three relievers on the COVID-19 injured list Monday. The 35-year-old had several good seasons for the Cubs in the middle of the last decade, but he's struggled to a 4.91 ERA over the last two seasons.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Sat 3/27/21 2:08 PM

Strop was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Strop has only been able to log three innings in Cactus League play as he was delayed by COVID-19 protocols earlier in the spring, so he was facing an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster. The veteran reliever has had some good moments with the Cubs during his career and will give the team some organizational depth this season.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Mon 3/15/21 7:34 PM

Strop has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game after being delayed by COVID-19 protocols, but he should be able to make his debut soon, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Strop had to isolate from the team after violating the league's health and safety protocols, so he's been unable to appear in a Cactus League game yet. The veteran reliever tossed a bullpen session Sunday and likely will do so again this week before getting into a game. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to get ready for a potential Opening Day roster spot. Strop is currently a non-roster invitee, so his role is certainly not secure, though he does have some goodwill with the Cubs based on his past performance.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Tue 3/9/21 11:53 AM

Strop (COVID-19 protocols) was cleared to rejoin the Cubs for workouts Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
EDGE Analysis
Strop was away from the team for a couple of days after the Cubs were made aware that he violated MLB's COVID-19 protocols. The veteran reliever has continued to test negative for the virus since going into self-isolation, allowing him to get the green light to quickly rejoin the team. The brief absence shouldn't affect Strop's chances of making the Cubs' Opening Day roster.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Mon 3/8/21 11:59 AM

Cubs manager David Ross said Strop (COVID-19 protocols) could rejoin the team for workouts as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
EDGE Analysis
Strop was forced to begin a quarantine period Sunday after he was found to have violated MLB's COVID-19 protocols, but Ross noted Monday that the veteran reliever never tested positive for the virus himself. Assuming Strop continues to test negative over the next 48 hours, he should be cleared to return to camp. A non-roster invitee, Strop is one of several relievers vying for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen.

Pedro Strop
RP FA
Sun 3/7/21 12:35 PM

Strop is isolating from the team after violating the league's health and safety protocols, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran right-hander will need to clear some additional protocols before he is able to rejoin the team. Strop is competing for a roster spot as a non-roster invitee, so his absence for spring games could prove costly, depending on how long he's sidelined.