Brandon Morrow's lost season is official as Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told reporters Wednesday the reliever has been shut down for the year.
Theo Epstein announces Brandon Morrow experienced another setback and will not pitch out of the Cubs bullpen this year.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) August 21, 2019
Morrow has yet to pitch in a game this year as he has been recovering from November elbow surgery. His comeback has been stalled by multiple setbacks and his season is now officially over.
The 35-year-old signed a two-year, $21 million deal with the Cubs before the 2018 season.
He saved 22 games in his first year with Chicago but missed the final 2 1/2 months as he was dealing with his injury.
Morrow signed his deal with the Cubs coming off of a year with the Dodgers in which he made 45 appearances during the regular season and another 14 in the postseason.
He threw in all seven games of the World Series while posting an 8.44 ERA.
The Cubs now will have to rely on Craig Kimbrel down the stretch in their closer role as Morrow isn't coming back to help.
However, Kimbrel is also just off the 10-day injured list as he was dealing with a knee injury.
He signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cubs during the middle of the season after he went unsigned this offseason.
Brandon Kintzler and Pedro Strop have also spent time as the Cubs' closer in 2019.