Maddon calls Monday ninth inning closer meltdown an 'anomaly'

Cubs manager Joe Maddon was willing to move on with two of his relief pitchers after they had rough nights Monday in a 6-5 loss the Miami Marlins.

Closer Pedro Strop blew a save opportunity and took the loss as he gave up a hit and 3 walks in the top of the ninth inning.

Maddon called that an "anomaly moment" for Strop.

Left-hander Kyle Ryan relieved Strop and admittedly "froze" when he had baserunner Neil Walker dead to rights between third base and home plate but threw to first base. The Cubs wound up with a double play, but not before Walker scored because of Ryan's mistake. Kris Bryant hit a homer in the bottom of the ninth for the Cubs.

"Last night he owned up to it," Maddon said of Ryan. "I love that. I love the fact that he didn't make any excuses. That's awesome. And that really makes me like him even more."

Asked if he would talk to Ryan, Maddon said: "I will, but I think he's fine. He's a really mature guy."

Montgomery coming?

The Cubs still have not announced plans to activate left-handed swing man Mike Montgomery off the injured list. Montgomery went 6 innings in his last minor league rehab outing. He has been on the IL since April 5 with a left-lat strain.

"We have ideas," Joe Maddon said. "We're just not ready to put them in motion yet. Monty, if he's throwing well, he's been a big part of our group. We've got to try to figure this out soon, and we are working on that. He's throwing really well. That's the word from the game the other day. Plus, our guys watching him in the bullpen said it was pretty good."

Maddon reiterated that he believes the best time to drop in a sixth starter is after the all-star break.

Caratini update:

Victor Caratini caught four innings of a combined no-hitter Monday night as he began a minor league rehab stint at class A South Bend.

He had a double in 2 at-bats.

Caratini seems to be recovering quickly from surgery to remove the hamate bone from his left hand. He had the surgery three weeks ago Monday.

"Incredible," said Joe Maddon. "I'm not a doubting Thomas, but I saw the BP (batting practice) and my God, it was like normal. There was nothing being held back.

"There was no grimace. There was no holding back. It's pretty amazing how quickly he's come back. There was no reason to hold him back. The bone's already out of there. He can't hurt anything else. That's what he told me."

It's possible Caratini could be activated next week.

South Bend's no-hitter was thrown by Derek Casey and Peyton Remy.

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