Injuries put Cubs' bullpen in an early bind

The most finicky part to any baseball team from year to year is the bullpen, and predicting success based on the previous season is risky business.

Last summer the Cubs' relief corps was decent after sorting out some issues at the start of the season, and there was reason for optimism in 2015.

On-the-field performance so far has been pretty good even though the pen was roughed up a bit against the San Diego Padres.

Before Monday night's game at Pittsburgh, the Cubs bullpen was 3-1 with 2 saves, a 2.65 ERA and a tidy WHIP of 1.04. But the big X-factor always is injuries, and they've bitten a couple of key right-handers: Justin Grimm and Neil Ramirez. The Cubs miss them, and their absence will put pressure on those filling their slots.

An 11-inning game Saturday, when lefty Phil Coke and closer Hector Rondon gave up 4 runs in the ninth inning, didn't help either. The Cubs had to rest a few of their relievers in Sunday's 5-2 loss, but manager Joe Maddon maintained that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"Rested bullpens normally are the residue of bad play," he did. "It's a good thing; it's a bad thing. You have to balance it out. But you have to take care of your guys and give them some rest, which we will do."

In the meantime, what's a manager to do?

"You just wait until the pitching coach says who's available," Maddon said. "It makes it much more difficult. There's no question. You're looking to get more out of your starter when that happens. Normally, when you're in a bind with your bullpen, it means you're playing pretty good and you've been in a lot of close games."

Over the off-season - perhaps knowing there are no guarantees - the Cubs bolstered their bullpen with the acquisitions of lefty Coke and right-hander Jason Motte, the former closer for the Cardinals.

The 32-year-old Motte pitched scoreless ball in his first 5 appearances before giving up 2 runs Sunday.

Motte missed the 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery. He said any questions about his health were answered in spring training.

"My arm was feeling good; I was recovering well," he said. "That was what I wanted to get out of spring training, just to see how my arm felt, make sure it felt good, make sure the ball was coming out good. I was recovering well, and all those things were happening."

Maddon has used Motte as a middle-to-late reliever. If anyone falters at the back end of the pen, Motte's experience could be put to use there.

"He's a professional. He stays ready," Maddon said. "He's a vibrant member of the team because he keeps everybody loose. The thing I like about him also is that he gets out lefties for a right-hander. He provides more matchup potential.

"I think if we don't overuse him, he's going to pitch that way all year."

Overuse will be a huge caution with the entire pen. Under last year's manager, Rick Renteria, Grimm ranked ninth in the National League with 73 appearances. Strop was in 65 games and Rondon 64. The Cubs also had to put hard-throwing Ramirez on the disabled list with right-triceps soreness. He's currently on the shelf with shoulder inflammation.

Some of the current workload has been shifted to Park Ridge resident Brian Schlitter and lefty Zac Rosscup.

According to Maddon, knowing whom to use and when is a two-way street.

"I always talk about that," the manager said. "Whenever I have conversations with my pitchers, especially relief pitchers, 'Just be honest. Please. If you're honest with me and us, then we can make a better decision. If you withhold information, you're setting the whole team back.'

"We really try to get them beyond that and actually say, 'I might need a day.' Just tell me you need a day. That's OK. I'm good with that.

"Players will never tell you that they want extra time. Relief pitchers, you ask them how they feel and they say, 'It's your call. Give me the ball; I'll take it.' Those are the standard lines, so you have to be able to sift through all of that and make the right decisions."