MILWAUKEE – The Cubs watched their bullpen struggle to close games for nearly half a season before signing Craig Kimbrel. And now they won’t have the seven-time All-Star for a critical road trip in September.
“Just the nature of the season it seems,” manager Joe Maddon said after Kimbrel went on the injured list Thursday because of elbow inflammation as the Cubs opened a key four-game series in Milwaukee.
The move is backdated to Sunday, when Kimbrel reported soreness after a rough ninth inning against the Brewers, which makes him eligible to return the final game of the road trip, Thursday in San Diego.