Hector Rondon Is Back For Cubs

(CBS) Out since Aug. 16 with a triceps injury, Cubs setup man Hector Rondon will be activated before Tuesday night's game at Milwaukee and will be available to pitch against the Brewers, manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday.

Rondon will be counted on to be a key contributor in the Cubs' bullpen down the stretch and in the playoffs. He has a 2.47 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 45 appearances this season, and Maddon is glad that he'll be able to take some of the stress and workload off other relievers.

"Ronnie being back online even helps protect C.J. Edwards a little more right now," Maddon said on the Spiegel and Goff Show.

"We want him back, we need him back. It really thickens the whole thing up, but as this month plays out, it puts you in position to win games without beating certain relief pitchers up."

Fellow right-handed reliever Pedro Strop continues to make progress in his recovery from a meniscus tear in his left knee and a recent groin strain that he suffered during rehab work. Strop is about two weeks away still.

"He's doing really well actually," Maddon said.

"Probably with Pedro, to get him hopefully five appearances would be great going into a postseason situation. And we think we can do something like that if everything continues along well. He was throwing the ball great before he had that little setback.

"Four or five good outings, strong outings would be plenty for him."

Strop has a 2.89 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 50 appearance this season.