Das Team » Chicago Cubs reliever Pedro Strop has a strained right hamstring

MESA Drew Robinson Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — , eliminating the likely candidate to close at the start of the season as Brandon Morrow recovers from elbow surgery.Strop, a 33-year-old right-hander, felt a hamstring issue on his last pitch on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, his second appearance of spring training. An MRI on Monday revealed a mild strain. The Cubs said Strop is able to play catch but will not participate in game-related drills during the next week.“The trainers are very optimistic,” Chicago manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday. “He’s still able to throw at a great distance. Whenever you’re able to keep your arm working, that matters.”Morrow, a 34-year-old right-hander, had arthroscopic surgery on Nov. 6. He did not pitch last season after July 15.If Strop isn’t available to close, the Cubs’ options include Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. and Brad Brach.“We’re discussing different methods http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey ,” Maddon said. “I couldn’t begin to tell you what will happen.”Edwards had a 2.60 ERA in 58 games last season. Maddon said there are times when he may want to use the right-hander earlier in games.“This guy has closer stuff,” Maddon said, also pointing out “he’s so good at shutting something down in the seventh or eighth, and I would not run away from that.”NOTES: LHP Jon Lester was picked to start his third straight opener, at Texas on March 28. Maddon said he does not yet have a rotation order. … INF Daniel Descalso is day to day after he jammed his left shoulder on Saturday. Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesAs the Boston Red Sox have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series, J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have emerged as the favorites to take home the Fall Classic's MVP honors.Martinez and Betts lead the field, with Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi following closely behind, per OddsShark:OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win #WorldSeries MVP (5Dimes):Martinez +250Betts al surprises there.Betts has helped set the table for Martinez and Co. The Boston leadoff hitter is 4-for-8 with a walk, a double, a stolen base and three runs scored.Hitting at the top of the lineup means his focus is on getting on base rather than power numbersnd he has proven very valuable in that regard thus far.Martinez has been showing he is worth every penny of the five-year, $110 million contract he signed last offseason by following up a spectacular regular season with a strong start to the World Series. Through the first two games http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , the slugger is 3-for-7 with one walk, four RBI and a double.His series has been highlighted by a clutch go-ahead hit in Game 2:It's important to note that Martinez is currently dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in Game 1. PerESPN, Boston skipper Alex Cora would not commit to Martinez being in the lineup on Friday. Then again, losing the designated hitter could also affect the World Series MVP chase. Betts may shift to the infield and play second base to clear room in the outfield for Martinez if the slugger is healthy.Both Martinez (.330 average, 43 home runs and 130 RBI) and Betts (.346 average, .438 on-base percentage, 32 home runs and 80 RBI) are in the mix for the American League MVP award this season as well.Benintendi has gone 4-for-8 with one walk, one double and one RBI (and an impressive catch) through the first two games, and 2018 ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. has been unable to carry over his momentum from the previous series, going just 1-for-7 against Los Angeles so far.David Price (+1500) comes in at fifth after throwing six innings of three-hit, shutout baseball in a 4-2 victory in Game 2. Entering the 2018 postseason Curtis Granderson Jersey , he faced long odds to be considered for the award, given his teams lost each of his first 10 career postseason starts. However, he is 2-0 in his last three starts this postseason, with Boston winning all three games.There are six Red Sox players on the list before the first Dodger shows up, with Manny Machado coming in at +2500. The midseason acquisition is just 2-for-7 in the series, but he leads Los Angeles with three RBI.Los Angeles first baseman David Freese was named the 2011 World Series MVP after playing the role of hero for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has once again shown up on baseball's biggest stage, leading his team with a .600 average (3-for-5).Of course, a series never truly gets underway until the road team wins a game. Boston successfully protected home-field advantage at Fenway Park, and now, the series shifts to Dodger Stadium. That means the pursuit of the World Series and of the MVP award will be taken up a notch.