CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs will have to get by without closer Brandon Morrow for at least a little while.
The Cubs placed the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of lower back tightness, leaving a short-handed bullpen without its most important piece.
While Morrow went on the DL, Yu Darvish threw a simulated game. Manager Joe Maddon said he looked “outstanding,” and the Cubs will see how he feels Thursday before announcing the next step as he works his way back from tendinitis in his right triceps.
Morrow — signed by Chicago to a $21 million, two-year contract in December after helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cubs in the NLCS — has 16 saves in 17 chances.
He hurt his back on Monday. The Cubs put him on the DL prior to their game against the Dodgers and announced right-hander Justin Hancock will remain with the club after being called up from Triple-A Iowa as the 26th man for Tuesday’s day-night doubleheader.
“We thought it would be wise to give him a couple of days,” Maddon said. “We just can’t go with one less pitcher right now. We just cannot.”
The Cubs are also missing relievers Carl Edwards Jr. (right shoulder inflammation) and Brian Duensing, who is on the bereavement list after his grandfather died on Saturday.