Maddon 'OK' with shared closer role

CHICAGO -- In 2016, the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline to give them a bona fide closer. Last year, they relied on Wade Davis. This season, Brandon Morrow was signed to be the closer, but he's been sidelined with right biceps inflammation since July 19. Since then, manager Joe Maddon has been rotating players in save situations.
Can the Cubs reach and advance in the playoffs without a designated closer?
"It's OK," Maddon said Wednesday. "You have this freewheeling ability to set it up without hurting anybody's feelings."
It worked for him in 2008 with the Rays when closer Troy Percival was hurt.
"I like the middle-inning closer," Maddon said. "That's when the game could be won or lost. [In 2008], it was [Grant] Balfour and J.P. Howell, and they did a wonderful job in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. All of a sudden, it frees you up to manipulate the latter part of the game. That's what young relief pitchers have to understand, and a lot of our guys do, but that sixth inning could be the most important inning. If you keep it in check there, maybe you score five more runs."
Dan Wheeler and David Price were credited with saves in the 2008 postseason for the Rays.
The Cubs' Pedro Strop has handled most of the save situations since Morrow has been out. Maddon said he puts together a list of which relievers are available before each game, but he doesn't tell the pitchers who may get the call in the ninth. They can probably figure it out by then.
"It's always about usage," Maddon said. "I try to consider all these things and I do normally pick somebody prior to the game who I like to finish the game with. But if the eighth inning becomes heavy, he has to pitch in the eighth inning, and that's it without the ordained dude at the end. It takes a little more consideration, and you have to keep the ninth inning in the back of your mind. Normally you're managing eight innings."
Justin Wilson does not have a save this season, but he was the Tigers' closer in 2017. Brandon Kintzler was a closer with the Twins, and Steve Cishek did so for the Marlins.
"We have a lot of options out there," Maddon said. "Whatever it takes, I'm good with that. I think a lot of these guys can finish a game."
Spring Training schedule announced
The Cubs will open the 2019 Spring Training on Feb. 23 against the Brewers at Sloan Park and finish with two games against the Red Sox, March 25-26, in Mesa, Ariz.
The tentative 34-game schedule includes 18 games at Sloan Park and 16 Cactus League road games.
The Cubs and White Sox will play twice: March 3 in Mesa and March 15 in Glendale.
Individual tickets for home spring games will go on sale Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. CT at the Sloan Park ticket office in Mesa, on www.cubs.com or by calling 1-800-THE-CUBS.
Wild weather prompts suspension
Tuesday's suspended game was the first for the Cubs since September 2014 against the Pirates. Maddon wanted to give Javier Báez and Jason Heyward a full day off on Wednesday, but they needed to finish the first game.
Wednesday also was the last day of American Legion week. Players were told to just show up and play. Anthony Rizzo got into the spirit by bringing slices of fresh oranges into the dugout during a recent game.
"In the middle of August, it's perfect," Maddon said. "I really appreciated it."
There wasn't much time on Wednesday for anything else.
"We can't really get in the station wagon and go get a Dairy Queen or anything like that," Maddon said.
The Cubs begin a four-city, 11-game trip on Thursday with a make-up game in Atlanta.
Injury updates
• Morrow and shortstop Addison Russell (left middle finger sprain) played catch on Wednesday. There is no timetable for their return.
• Brian Duensing (left shoulder inflammation) struck out one in 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in his third rehab appearance on Wednesday for Triple-A Iowa. Third baseman Kris Bryant (left shoulder inflammation) went 1-for-3 with a single in his third game with Iowa. He's now 2-for-8 with three walks in three starts with the Minor League team.
• Drew Smyly, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, will pitch one inning in a rehab appearance for Class A South Bend on Thursday.