Motte earned the save Tuesday, setting the Mets down in order in the ninth inning.

Manager Joe Maddon shook up his bullpen a bit, using Hector Rondon in the seventh inning, Pedro Strop in the eighth and Motte in the ninth. The save was Motte's third of the season and his second in the month of June.

Motte picked up his second save Monday against the Dodgers, but gave up two hits and a run on Joc Pederson's solo home run.

Motte had escaped two straight innings in which he had given up two hits and couldn't keep the dam from bursting Monday, but luckily he had a three-run lead to work with and still recorded the save. Motte has just 17 strikeouts in 26.1 innings this year, well below the norm for the closer position, and he might give up too much contact to expect him to stay successful in the role.

Motte tossed a scoreless ninth inning Saturday, giving up one hit, to pick up his fourth win of the season.

He's been solid for the Cubs this season with a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, but his 17:9 K:BB ratio in 25.1 innings is a far cry from the dominant numbers he put up as the Cardinals' closer in 2012. Motte might yet have a chance to close in Chicago, but don't expect him to run away with the job if he gets a look.

Motte struck out one during a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the season Sunday against the Nationals.

With Hector Rondon pitching in the eighth inning and Pedro Strop unavailable, Motte stepped in and finished the game for the Cubs. Rondon has informally been removed from the closer's role for the time being, so Motte and Strop could both be in line for more save opportunities, although the latter is believed to be the front-runner.

Motte struck out the only batter he faced in a win over the Nationals on Thursday, earning his fifth hold in the process.

Motte may be coming around after a rough start to the season. He's given up just one hit and one walk in his last eight appearances - all scoreless - and he has four strikeouts in 5.2 innings in that span.

Motte gave up two hits - including a home run - without retiring a batter Friday.

In his last four appearances, covering just two innings, Motte has given up seven hits, four runs, and has walked three. After missing all of 2013 due to Tommy John surgery, it's clear that Motte is no longer the pitcher he once was.

Motte struck out two in a scoreless inning Thursday.

Motte's last two appearances were disasters, so he really needed the clean inning. For the year he's already made eight appearances and has a nice 5:1 K:BB ratio, but he's given up five runs and seven hits in eight innings.

Manager Joe Maddon has not lost confidence in Motte despite the pitcher's struggles this spring, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports. "I'm not worried about him," Maddon said. "I think the velocity is real good, the shape of his pitchers are a little different and I think it'll get better."

Motte has given up seven runs and three walks in his last two appearances. For the spring, his ERA sits at 14.21 and he's walked five in 6.1 innings. He saved 53 games with the Cardinals, including 42 in 2012, but If his struggles continue into the regular season, he may not sniff the eighth inning, let alone the ninth.

Motte gave up four runs Thursday, with the big blow coming on a three-run homer by Albert Pujols.

There's no shame in giving up a home run to Albert Pujols, but it's been a shaky spring for Motte, who is expected to play a big role in the bullpen. In six innings, he's given up 10 hits, seven runs, and three walks, and the former fireballer has struck out just four. While Motte is probably first in line for saves if Hector Rondon falters, Pedro Strop might be a better bet right now.

Motte pitched a scoreless inning against the White Sox on Friday.

Motte has made five appearances this spring, three of them scoreless. He'll likely be the top set-up man for Hector Rondon, and given his experience, he'd be the first to get the call to close if Rondon loses the job.

Motte agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 32-year-old old Motte has proven to be an effective reliever, posting sub-2.80 ERA's in each season from 2010-12. He missed all of 2013 after undergoing Tommy John surgery but returned this season to make 29 appearances for the Cardinals. Those appearances resulted in a disappointing 4.68 ERA, and Motte was left off the NLDS roster. He'll enter spring training in competition for a middle relief spot and could be in contention to grab the Cubs' setup role.

Motte will not be on the Cardinals' NLDS roster, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Motte looked sharp immediately upon his return from Tommy John surgery in late May, allowing just one earned run in his first six appearances, but the wheels came off shortly thereafter. Overall, Motte, an impending free agent, posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB over 25 innings.

Motte (back) was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

Motte went on the disabled list in early August and has returned to the bullpen with the September roster expansion. He should retake a spot in middle relief for the Cardinals upon his return and could see some late inning work.

Motte (back) was sent on a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday and is expected to pitch Sunday night, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

Motte threw a bullpen session Friday, and will take the next step towards a return by going on a rehab assignment Sunday. If everything goes well, he could rejoin the Cardinals some time this week.

Motte (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest reports.

Motte was able to throw at full speed Friday in what marked his third mound session since recovering from a lower back strain. Motte's next step is uncertain, but it seems a return to St. Louis is not far off at this point.

Motte (back) has not yet been cleared to begin throwing as the veteran reliever recovers from a lower back strain, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Motte was hoping to return when eligible but now looks to miss a month or more with the ailment. It's been a disappointing season for Motte who was hoping to return from Tommy John surgery and find the success he had before, but he's posted a 4.91 ERA and an even uglier 6.90 FIP.

Motte (back) is not expected to return from the disabled list until September, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

Motte is not yet throwing after he was placed on the disabled list last Friday, putting him off track to return in the 15-day minimum. Once he starts throwing, Motte would still likely require a rehab assignment, pushing him return to the St. Louis bullpen back a few days further. He's hardly looked like the dominant closer of old coming off Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2013 season, posting a 4.91 ERA and striking out 16 batters in 22 innings.

Motte (back) is hoping to return from lower back strain Sunday but the Cardinals are not optimistic about his chances, MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals would like Motte to pitch in some rehab games, something he is still unable to do. The more likely scenario is that Motte will return mid to late next week.

Motte was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with a lower back strain.

Motte hasn't pitched since Aug. 1 and this explains why. With the stint made retroactive to Aug. 2, the right-hander will be eligible to return as soon as next Saturday, but it's uncertain whether he'll be ready by that time. Lefty Nick Greenwood was recalled to replace Motte, who has posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 24 appearances this season.

Jason Motte went 1 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday against the Diamondbacks in his first appearance since 2012.

Motte's fastball velocity was just 92-93 mph -- down several ticks from where it was before Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, but his cutter looked sharp and he helped the Cardinals to a 12th-inning victory.