Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Strop missed almost four weeks of action due to a hamstring strain. Steve Cishek pitched well as the fill-in closer, but Strop should be back into his ninth inning role on the North Side. Both Strop and Cishek should be owned in just about every fantasy format.

Pedro Strop is expected to pitch one more rehab outing for AAA on Sunday and then be activated, barring any unforeseen issues. Strop was in the middle of his worst season in the majors before the injury, recording a 1-2 record with a 5.06 ERA. Strop will continue getting hold and save opportunities as long as he is relied on to pitch in key situations for a good Cubs team, but it is worth monitoring their bullpen situation if he continues to struggle.

There are currently at least NINE bullpens in Major League Baseball operating with a closer-by-committee approach. [...]

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) will throw Tuesday and Thursday on a rehab assignment. If everything goes well, Strop should be able to return to the big league roster this weekend. Strop is likely to go back to his role as the Cubs closer and is worth owning in all formats that score holds and saves.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) is scheduled to start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Strop should be ready to rejoin the Cubs very shortly, barring setbacks on his rehab assignment. The right-hander opened the season as the club's closer in the absence of Brandon Morrow, and he could return to the role immediately upon his activation. Strop has a 5.06 ERA, 1.13 [...]

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Strop has been sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring injury since May 8. Strop will throw another bullpen session over the weekend and if everything goes well, Strop could head out on a rehab assignment. Strop had been the Cubs closer before his and Steve Cishek has filled in with him out. Both are worth owning in leagues that count holds and save.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday. He'll throw off the mound again in a few days and could return shortly after that. The Cubs have not said whether or not Strop will go on a rehab assignment. He's making solid progress, so hopefully he can return before the end of May. Steve Cishek will likely continue to fill in as closer until Strop returns.

Let's talk about a Crazy Little Thing Called Saves. (Count it) The Braves might have accidentally stumbled into one of the best closers in baseball. The Twins and Mariners continue to play the messy bullpen game, but it looks like maybe the Rays are settling into some kind of routine?The top two relievers in the Cubs bullpen are on the IL, but rather than a committee, someone has stepped up and seemingly taken the reins. The Phillies looked like they had a closer ready to go, then he disappeared[...]

Some pretty important moving and shaking went on this week in the bullpens across the league. Craig Kimbrel is still looking for somebody to love him (Queen reference in intro: ), and I'm still recommending anyone holding him in fantasy leagues without an NA spot lets him go. Thought it would be good to get that clear off the top.Diving into more current news, the Braves went into a full committee, the Twins dipped their toes in the committee pool, the A's escaped a bullpen disaster, and the Cub[...]

The Chicago Cubs placed closer Pedro Strop (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left hamstring strain and activated pitcher Mike Montgomery (shoulder) from the injured list in a corresponding move. It's the same injury that Strop dealt with at the end of last year, so this is concerning, especially since he struggled in a blown save his last time out. With Brandon Morrow still sidelined, Strop should be stashed in most leagues. [...]