Strop pitching a scoreless ninth inning in a tie game Friday, his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance. Strop has been nearly perfect during the six-game run, as he has an 0.33 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB ratio. With Rafael Soriano perhaps on the way to Chicago, Strop is likely to stay in a setup role even with Hector Rondon struggling a bit, but he's still a valuable reliever. For the year he has a 3.21 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 30:10 K:BB ratio, and eight holds in 28 innings.

Strop pitched a clean ninth inning against the Nationals on Saturday, striking out two to earn his second save of the season. Hector Rondon was pulled after walking the lone batter he faced, but Strop was able to retire the side and thus preserve the win for Jason Hammel. After the game, manager Joe Maddon said he might use Rondon in other situations to allow him to work on his stuff, though he did not go so far as to formally remove Rondon from the closer role. Regardless, Strop may be in line to see more save opportunities until Rondon irons out the kinks.

Strop pitched a clean ninth inning with a strikeout Saturday in Arizona for his first save of the year. Hector Rondon blew the save on Friday, so this time, Cubs manager Joe Maddon tried Strop in the ninth, and it worked out beautifully. Don't take this to mean that Strop is encroaching on Rondon's territory, but it's clear that he's the No. 2 option at closer. With just a 0.87 WHIP so far in 20.2 innings, there's a strong argument to be made that Strop has been Chicago's best reliever this year.

Strop walked one and gave up a three-run homer to Andrew McCutchen in an inning against the Pirates on Friday. Only two of the runs were charged to Strop. It's been a tale of two months for Strop so far this year. After being nearly unhittable in April (he gave up just two hits and two walks in 9.1 innings), the first two weeks have been a disaster: 7.2 innings, eight hits, eight runs, and five walks. McCutchen's home run was the first homer given up by Strop this year. He's already made 19 appearances in the Cubs' first 35 games and looks like he could use a break.

Strop pitched a perfect eighth inning to earn his third hold of the year Friday. Strop has been outstanding this year. In 10.1 innings he has a 13:2 K:BB ratio, a miniscule 0.39 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA.

Strop wasn't available for Friday's game against the Reds with a sore foot but he'll be available for Saturday's contest, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. Strop doesn't seem to be in any long-term danger as his sore foot apparently only needed one day of rest. The 29-year-old has made nine appearances on the season, compiling an impressive ERA of 0.00 over 7.3 innings of work.

Strop pitched a scoreless inning Saturday, his third in a row to start the season. Saturday's appearance wasn't a save opportunity for Rondon, but so far he has given up just one hit and one walk in three appearances this year. Though Pedro Strop is also pitching well, Rondon is firmly entrenched as the closer in Chicago.

Strop pitched a scoreless inning Friday and has not even given up a hit in his last three appearances. He has a 13:2 K:BB ratio in seven innings this spring. The only blemish on Strop's spring came on March 14, when he gave up a solo home run. Other than that game, he has given up just one hit in six innings. He has also struck out exactly two in each of his last six games. With Jason Motte struggling this spring and Strop pitching so well, he's likely moved past Motte in bullpen pecking order. If you're speculating for Cubs saves beyond Hector Rondon, Strop looks to be the best choice right now.

Strop struck out two in a scoreless inning against the Mariners on Saturday. Strop has a 9:1 K:BB ratio in five innings this spring and has given up just one run and three hits. Though Jason Motte is likely the first to get a shot at closing if Hector Rondon isn't available, Strop is as good a candidate for the role as any.

Strop agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports. Strop has been outstanding in his two years with Chicago, posting a 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 in 102 appearances (96 innings). He held opposing right-handers to a .169/.255/.223 batting line last season and will command a significant raise in his first year of arbitration, though he won't make for a very likely candidate for saves so long as Hector Rondon and Jason Motte are healthy.