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MESA Anibal Sanchez Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs received good news on closer Brandon Morrow and reliever Pedro Strop, who have both been slowed this spring by injuries.Morrow threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session Monday, his first time off the mound this spring. He was limited to 35 games last season with the Cubs and did not pitch past July 15. He underwent a debridement on his right elbow in November. Morrow was expected to miss the first month of the season.“It’s a big step to get back up and off the slope,” Morrow said Tuesday. “To take that step, everything was good. There’s nothing to report other than I felt great. It was just like a normal bullpen. I felt in rhythm mechanically after a few pitches. It was all good.”Strop, who was projected to fill in as closer for Morrow, has been sidelined this spring because of a mild right hamstring strain. He threw a bullpen Tuesday for the first time since he was injured.“There’s a chance he may be ready (for the season opener),” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Strop. “Like I told him http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , don’t push it right now. We were talking about the first series of the year. I’d much prefer that we don’t have to deal with some issues during the course of the year. He gets it. We’ll see how it plays out.”If Strop isn’t available, the Cubs’ closer options include Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr., Brandon Kintzler and Brian Duensing.“I think we’re pretty well set up,” Morrow said of the closer situation. “Every arm helps. I think people get nervous about quote-unquote closers. We’ve got a lot of guys who can handle it.”Morrow said his rehab will include about six bullpen sessions, then a couple of live batting practice sessions before beginning a minor league rehab assignment.NOTES: Maddon said third baseman Kris Bryant has looked strong this spring. Bryant played a career-low 102 games last season because of soreness in his left shoulder. “He’s ready to roll,” Maddon said. “He’s smiling easily, nothing is forced. I think because he does feel so well http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , I anticipate good.” … Maddon has yet to announce the Cub’ rotation for the opening series against the Texas Rangers other than Jon Lester will start opening day. ATLANTA — Atlanta left-hander Sean Newcomb has been worn down by his first full season in the major leagues. That’s why the club has given him an additional day of rest between his most recent starts, a tactic that’s help the youngster regain his effectiveness.Newcomb (11-6, 3.57 ERA) will be on the mound for the Braves Wednesday when they complete their two-game series against Tampa Bay at SunTrust Park. Tampa Bay had not announced its starting pitcher on Tuesday night.The Braves won the first game of the series on Tuesday and improved to 3-0 against Tampa this season. Atlanta won 9-5 and broke Tampa Bay’s eight-game winning streak. The victory improved Atlanta’s record to 74-57 and extended their lead in the National League East to 4 1/2 games.Article continues below ...Tampa Bay (70-62) remains a long shot to make the playoffs — the Rays are nine games out of the second wild car spot — but manager Kevin Cash isn’t too concerned with the standings.“I’m more concerned with we’re playing the Braves,” he said. “And then we’re playing the Indians. Two first-place clubs. We just got done playing the Red Sox. This is a very challenging part of the schedule. We’re going to have to play really good baseball to come up with a successful road trip.”After giving up a combined 12 runs in successive starts, Newcomb was given five days of rest and responded with six shutout innings against the Marlins. It slowed the damage he has suffered this month, when his ERA is 5.48 and he has allowed 13 runs in 21 1/3 innings.Newcomb made one appearance against the Rays on April 8 and fired six shutout innings with six strikeouts.“The changeup being good has been a big help,” Newcomb said. “It’s starting to be something to keep guys off my fastball.”The Braves will try a way to cool off Tampa third baseman Matt Duffy. He has hit safely in six straight games and went 2-for-5 in the series opener. During his hitting streak, Duffy is hitting .461 (12-for-26) and has multiple hits in five of his last six games.Left fielder Tommy Pham has been hot Eddie Rosario Jersey , too, since returning from the disabled list with a dislocated finger. He went 3-for-5 on Tuesday and is hitting .472 (9-for-19) over his last four games.Tampa Bay will try to find an answer for Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte. He was 4-for-4 on Tuesday and hit his ninth homer, his second in the last week. Inciarte is batting .533 (8-for-15) over his last four games.“We need him to come through for us as much as he can,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.Tampa Bay added right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge to the roster when ex-Braves outfielder Mallex Smith went on the disabled list with a viral infection. Smith left the hospital and was able to run and work out in Tampa on Tuesday.The Braves are on the verge of getting right-handed reliever Shane Carle back from the disabled list. He was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett for a rehab appearance after missing 21 games with right shoulder inflammation. Veteran right-hander Brandon McCarthy is also close to returning from the disabled list.