Strop pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout to record his first save of the season Friday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Regular closer Brandon Morrow had appeared in the last two games, so it appeared he was simply getting a breather, which allowed Strop to record his first save of the season. The 32-year-old righty has been solid for the Cubs this season, as he now has a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 26.2 innings of work.

Strop (3-0) retired the only hitter he faced and snagged the win Friday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Strop came on in the top of the seventh with runners on the corners and two outs, and he retired Jesus Aguilar on just three pitches to get out of the jam. He then became the pitcher of record when the Cubs broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom half of the inning. Strop has a strong 2.79 ERA this season and he's on pace to surpass his career high in wins, which is currently five.

Strop (2-0) was the winning pitcher in Saturday's game against the Brewers. He retired both hitters he faced, with one coming via strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Strop has yet to allow an earned run in 4.2 innings of work this season, and he's been rewarded with two wins. The righty tied a career high with five wins in 2017 and he could surpass that number if he keeps pitching well this season. He also should be a fairly consistent source of holds moving forward, though he's yet to record one in 2018.

Strop, who battled a calf injury in spring training, is expected to be on the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strop didn't make his Cactus League debut until last Thursday, but he was able to get in three appearances and seemingly did enough to convince the organization that he's ready to go for Opening Day. The 32-year-old righty will slot in as a key setup man in front of new closer Brandon Morrow and will look to build upon the 21 holds he posted each of the last two seasons.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon wants to see Strop make one more Cactus League appearance before deciding on his availability for Opening Day, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strop, who was slowed by a calf injury earlier in spring training, made his Cactus League debut on Thursday and then pitched again on Saturday. The right-hander tossed two perfect innings with two strikeouts, so he's trending in the right direction, but Maddon wants to see a little more before he deems Strop ready to go. Assuming Strop doesn't suffer any setbacks, it looks like he should be ready for the start of the regular season.

Strop, who made his Cactus League debut Thursday, will likely get into at least two more games before spring training is over and could be ready for the start of the regular season, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strop has been sidelined this spring with a calf injury and then an illness, which delayed his recovery. He looked good in his debut, setting down the side in order with a strikeout in his inning of work. Manager Joe Maddon indicated that he wants to see how Strop looks in his next few outings before deciding on the righty's status for Opening Day. Unless he suffers a setback, it appears Strop should be ready for the start of the regular season, and he'll slot into a high-leverage role in front of new closer Brandon Morrow.

Strop (calf) pitched in a minor-league game Monday and will return to Cactus League action Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strop continues to progress well from a calf injury that has sidelined him all spring. With a timetable for return finally in place, there's legitimate reason to believe he could actually be ready in time for the regular season.

Strop (calf) threw a bullpen session Friday and will next proceed to live batting practice before making his Cactus League debut, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There were no reported setbacks after the bullpen session, so Strop should still be on schedule to make his first spring training appearance by the middle of next week at the latest. The right-handed reliever has said he feels good and should be ready to go for Opening Day, but it'd be nice to see him take the mound in a game first before feeling fully confident that he won't miss any regular season action.

Strop (calf) said he "definitely" can start the regular season on time, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strop said he would appear in a Cactus League game by Thursday of next week at the latest, though he indicated he could be back in there sooner. If the right-hander can get a few appearances in, he should be able to slide into his high-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen ahead of new closer Brandon Morrow without missing any regular season action.

Strop (calf) is closing in on a return to the mound for a spring game, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Strop has yet to appear in a spring contest due to a sore left calf but said he's almost there in terms of his recovery. Expect the right-hander to be fully operational by the time Opening Day rolls around.