CHICAGO (AP) — Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a three-year contract with the Cubs that guarantees $43 million in a big move to strengthen Chicago's bullpen.The team said Friday he passed his physical and will be optioned to Triple-A Iowa.Kimbrel gets $10 million this year — a prorated share of his $16,173,913 listed salary — and $16 million in each of the following two seasons.Chicago has a $16 million option for 2022 with a $1 million buyout. The option would become guaranteed if he has at least 110 games finished in 2021-22 combined, including a minimum 55 in 2021, and he does not have a non-temporary injury.He has a full no-trade provision this year, and a limited no-trade provision for 2020 in which he must by this Oct. 31 designate eight teams he can't be deal to without his consent.The addition plugs a major hole for Chicago, which has been beset by blown saves but is still tied for the NL Central lead. Brandon Morrow is going slowly after a setback in his recovery... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a three-year contract with the Cubs in a big move to strengthen Chicago's bullpen.The team said Friday he passed his physical and will be optioned to Triple-A Iowa.The addition plugs a major hole for Chicago, which has been beset by blown saves but is still tied for the NL Central lead. Brandon Morrow is going slowly after a setback in his recovery from offseason elbow surgery, and Pedro Strop just returned after another hamstring injury.Even before the deal was announced Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he thought Kimbrel would be ready to pitch in about three weeks."I would imagine in the position that's he's been in, he had some kind of a strategy of program mapped out," Maddon said Thursday. "The first thing you do is find out and then set up program. You think about a three-week window, normally it sounds right."Once Kimbrel is ready to go, Strop will likely move back to his usual setup role and Steve Cishek will be freed up... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a contract with the Cubs in a big move to strengthen Chicago's bullpen.The team said Friday he passed his physical. Contract terms were not disclosed.The addition plugs a major hole for Chicago, which has been beset by blown saves but is still tied for the NL Central lead. Brandon Morrow is going slowly after he had a setback in his recovery from offseason elbow surgery, and Pedro Strop just returned after being sidelined by another hamstring injury.Even before the deal was announced Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he thought Kimbrel would be ready to pitch in about three weeks."I would imagine in the position that's he's been in, he had some kind of a strategy of program mapped out," Maddon said Thursday. "The first thing you do is find out and then set up program. You think about a three-week window, normally it sounds right."Once Kimbrel is ready to go, Strop will likely move back to his usual setup role and Steve Cishek will... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a contract with the Chicago Cubs.The team said Friday he has passed his physical. Contract terms were not disclosed.The addition plugs a major hole for Chicago, which has been beset by blown saves. Brandon Morrow is going slowly after he had a setback in his recovery from offseason elbow surgery, and Pedro Strop just returned after being sidelined by another hamstring injury.The 31-year-old Kimbrel has 333 career saves and a 1.91 ERA over nine seasons with Atlanta, San Diego and Boston. The hard-throwing right-hander also is averaging an exceptional 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings for his career.___Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs manager Joe Maddon is projecting how to use Craig Kimbrel, even before Chicago announces a deal with the free agent closer.Maddon said Thursday he thought the 31-year-old right-hander might be ready to pitch in about three weeks."I would imagine in the position that's he's been in, he had some kind of a strategy of program mapped out," Maddon said. "The first thing you do is find out and then set up program. You think about a three-week window, normally it sounds right. Think about relief pitchers in spring training. Conventionally it would be like that kind of a window. But you've got to talk to the guy first and see what he's been doing."Kimbrel, who has 333 saves and a 1.91 ERA over nine major league seasons, turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from Boston last November and remained a free agent. Starting this week, a team could sign him without the loss of amateur draft picks or international signing bonus pool allocation.Chicago's bullpen has 11 blown saves this year. Brandon Morrow has not returned from offseason elbow surgery, and Pedro Strop came back Tuesday from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since May 6. Strop and Steve Cishek have been closing."When you get a guy like Kimbrel, whoever was being utilized, who was in that role easily steps aside," he said. "When the whole group realize this makes us better, then everybody falls in line."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs activated reliever Pedro Strop from the 10-day injured list before Tuesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies and optioned reliever Dillon Maples to Triple-A Iowa.The 33-year-old Strop, who went on the IL on May 8 with a strained left hamstring, is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA and has four saves in six chances. The right-hander is one of several relievers manager Joe Maddon has shuffled into the closer's role as Brandon Morrow recovers from right elbow surgery.In three rehab appearances at Iowa, Strop allowed one hit and one walk in three innings.Maddon believes a healthy Strop can help improve the Cubs' inconsistent bullpen. Before Tuesday's game, the manager said he'd lean toward using Strop to protect a ninth-inning lead against the Rockies.Maples, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 5 2/3 innings over seven appearances with the Cubs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Using the search engine at Baseball-Reference.com, The Associated Press evaluated each team's draft performance from 1996 through 2018, adding up wins above replacement (WAR) figures for drafted players.For each pick, the player's career WAR was added to the appropriate total for the team, depending on whether or not the player signed with the team after being drafted. Some players had their WAR totals included multiple times, if they were drafted more than once.Stats are through May 25. Compensation picks were considered part of the first round where applicable.___ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKSTotal WAR for all drafted players: 581.8 (MLB rank: 4th)Total WAR for drafted players who signed: 440.1 (rank: 5th)Total WAR for drafted players who did not sign: 141.7Impact players (10 WAR or more) drafted: 17 (rank: tie-9th)Impact players drafted and signed: 13 (rank: 12th)Most recent impact player drafted and signed: Trevor Bauer, 2011, first round, pick No. 3 (15.2 WAR)Lowest pick for impact player drafted... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs closer Brandon Morrow has started throwing again after experiencing a setback in his recovery from offseason elbow surgery.President of baseball operations Theo Epstein says Morrow threw from 45 to 60 feet Monday in Arizona.The Cubs shut down Morrow's rehab last month after he didn't recover well from a bullpen session. He led Chicago with 22 saves in 35 games last season after signing a $21 million, two-year contract as a free agent, but missed the second half.Epstein also says reliever Pedro Strop (strained left hamstring) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Monday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have optioned shortstop Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa after he completed his 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs transferred closer Brandon Morrow (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.Russell was eligible to rejoin the Cubs when they open a weekend series against St. Louis at home Friday. But manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday in Seattle the team wanted to give him more time at Triple-A to get ready.Russell was suspended last fall after a series of allegations made by his ex-wife. He was working out in Arizona, playing in extended spring training games and meeting with a counselor twice a week, before joining Iowa last week.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs ace Jon Lester could be close to rejoining Chicago's rotation after pitching a simulated game.Lester threw 45 pitches Saturday. Manager Joe Maddon says he looked "very good," and the Cubs will see how he feels Sunday before determining the next step. Maddon did not rule out a return for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field that starts Tuesday.Lester strained his left hamstring running the bases April 8 against Pittsburgh.Closer Brandon Morrow experienced discomfort following a side session in Arizona earlier in the week and is shutting down his rehabilitation for now. He had elbow surgery in November after missing the second half of last season.There is no timetable for his return.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs received good news on closer Brandon Morrow and reliever Pedro Strop, who have both been slowed this spring by injuries.Morrow threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session Monday, his first time off the mound this spring. He was limited to 35 games last season with the Cubs and did not pitch past July 15. He underwent a debridement on his right elbow in November. Morrow was expected to miss the first month of the season."It's a big step to get back up and off the slope," Morrow said Tuesday. "To take that step, everything was good. There's nothing to report other than I felt great. It was just like a normal bullpen. I felt in rhythm mechanically after a few pitches. It was all good."Strop, who was projected to fill in as closer for Morrow, has been sidelined this spring because of a mild right hamstring strain. He threw a bullpen Tuesday for the first time since he was injured."There's a chance he may be ready (for the season opener)," Cubs manager Joe Maddon... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — It does not take Javier Baez long to show off his magic tricks, even in a spring training game.The Chicago Cubs star singled in the first inning on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies and stole second, escaping a tag by shortstop Garrett Hampson with a deft swim move."I wasn't planning on doing it — I just reacted to it," Baez said. "I got a good jump but I took forever to be full speed and the ball beat me. I saw it and just reacted to it. That's my first attempt to steal a bag in spring training. I just did it. We'll see how it goes."It was just Javy being Javy. Last season, the infielder known as "El Mago" — Spanish for 'The Magician' — set career highs with a .290 batting average, 34 home runs, 40 doubles, 21 stolen bases and a league-leading 111 RBIs."I had a great year," Baez said. "I still think I can have a better year."Baez, 26, finished second in the NL MVP voting behind the Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich last season. Baez ranked among the top 20 NL hitters... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Cubs manager Joe Maddon has a lot of experience cobbling together bullpens from pitchers without defined roles.Until closer Brandon Morrow is mended and ready, Maddon will once again be faced with a juggling act of sorts in the late innings.Maddon said Sunday the Cubs bullpen is a "fluid" situation. While that's not ideal, it's nothing new for the three-time manager of the year. He's not so big on in-game guidelines, anyway."I think primarily the focus will be who's rested, who hasn't pitched a couple days in a row," Maddon said. "And work it that way until Brandon becomes available. And when he becomes available, it's still not going to be an everyday kind of thing. So, I will work off numbers, but I think with this particular group, a lot of it will have to do with who's most rested."Morrow had right elbow surgery in November after being shut down in mid-July, and he's unlikely to be ready for opening day. Without him, Chicago still had the NL's top bullpen last year,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Brad Brach and the Chicago Cubs have finalized a one-year contract that guarantees the reliever $3 million and could be worth $8 million over two seasons.Brach gets a $1.65 million salary this year and could earn $1.35 million in bonuses for days on the active major league roster: $350,000 for one, and $500,000 each for 120 and 150.Chicago has a $5 million team option for 2020 under the deal announced Monday. If the Cubs decline, Brach has a $1.35 million player option with a $100,000 buyout.The right-hander had 12 saves and a 3.59 ERA in 69 games for Baltimore and Atlanta last season. He posted a 1.52 ERA over 27 appearances following a trade to the Braves.Brach debuted with San Diego in 2011 and made an All-Star team with Baltimore in 2016. He has a career 3.08 ERA and 33 saves. The Cubs needed bullpen help with closer Brandon Morrow likely missing the start of the season while recovering from elbow surgery.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Milwaukee BrewersManager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Phoenix.Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl, RHP Josh Tomlin.He's Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.Going campin': The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise's first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Milwaukee BrewersManager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Phoenix.Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl.He's Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.Going campin': The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise's first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with the Dodgers. There... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says free agent reliever Brad Brach and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees $4.35 million.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. Brach and the Cubs have options for 2020.The right-hander had 12 saves and a 3.59 ERA in 69 games for Baltimore and Atlanta last season. He posted a 1.52 ERA over 27 appearances following a trade to the Braves.Brach debuted with San Diego in 2011 and made an All-Star team with Baltimore in 2016. He has a career 3.08 ERA and 33 saves. The Cubs needed bullpen help with closer Brandon Morrow likely missing the start of the season while recovering from elbow surgery.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Closer Brandon Morrow likely will miss the start of the season for the Chicago Cubs following arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow last month.Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein revealed Thursday that Morrow's operation took place on Nov. 6. The Cubs waited to make an announcement because Morrow's recovery will impact how they fill out the bullpen."That's why we weren't broadcasting it," a smiling Epstein said. "We'll have to set things up a little bit differently the first few weeks of the season. And it kind of underscores the need for depth and late-game options early in the year. I think for him, it will be a positive. It will completely address the issues that were bothering him last year. ... It can really help him be strong late in the season as well."Chicago also hired Tommy Hottovy as pitching coach to replace the departed Jim Hickey.Morrow led Chicago with 22 saves and had a 1.47 ERA in 35 games after signing a $21 million, two-year contract... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs closer Brandon Morrow likely will miss the start of the season following arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow last month.President of baseball operations Theo Epstein says the operation took place Nov. 6.Signed to a $21 million, two-year contract last December, Morrow led the Cubs with 22 saves and had a 1.47 ERA in 35 games. He did not pitch after July 15 because of a bone bruise in his right elbow.Epstein says Morrow still felt discomfort, leading to the decision for surgery. Morrow is expected to start throwing in early February.The Cubs announced Thursday they hired Tommy Hottovy as pitching coach to replace the departed Jim Hickey.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs expect to make changes after an early playoff exit. Just not in the manager's office.Joe Maddon will return as skipper for a fifth season, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Wednesday."He's the manager of this team and I'm very happy about that," Epstein said.Maddon has one year left on his contract. Though there are no ongoing discussions about an extension, Epstein insisted they have a "terrific" working relationship."We don't agree all the time about baseball issues, and that's the way it should be," Epstein said. "I don't want a yes man as the manager."Maddon has a 387-261-1 record with playoff appearances in each of his four seasons in Chicago. The Cubs have more wins during that span than any other team, with three trips to the NLCS and a World Series championship in 2016 that ended a drought dating to 1908.Chicago finished 95-68 this season, blowing a five-game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central before losing a tiebreaker to the... [More]