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The 32-year-old veteran hadn't pitched for the
Cubs since July 31 due to hip and rib injuries.
Stroman was initially placed on the IL due to a right hip
injury. He was set to return in mid-August before it was
discovered he had fractured rib cartilage.
The Cubs said Stroman will initially pitch out of the bullpen
until he builds up his pitch counts.
"I'm good to go," Stroman told reporters before Friday night's
game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "I'm excited. Like I
said, I'm here. I can start, I come out of the bullpen. They can
use me in whatever role they want. But I feel ready to compete
and contribute, so that's kind of the mindset."
Chicago manager David Ross appreciated Stroman's willingness to
embrace any role down the stretch.
"He's a competitor and wants to be out there," Ross said. "He
wants to help us in any way, that's the kind of dude he is. He
worked really hard to get back."
Stroman was named to the All-Star team for the second time in
his career. He is 10-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 24 appearances (23
starts) this season, his second with the Cubs.
Stroman had a 2.28 ERA in his first 16 starts before his season
went downhill. He went 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA over his next seven
starts.
Stroman struggled mightily in the final three starts, partially
due to the hip issues. The 32-year-old allowed 17 runs and 22
hits in just 10 innings during the span before going on the IL.
The Cubs optioned right-hander Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa
in a corresponding move.
Palencia, 23, is 5-2 with a 4.09 ERA in 21 relief appearances
for Chicago.
The Cubs (78-70) hold the second National League wild-card spot
by 1 1/2 games over the Diamondbacks and the Reds, who are both
77-72. The Miami Marlins (76-72) just a half-game back of
Arizona and Cincinnati, and the San Francisco Giants (75-72)
trail the Diamondbacks and Reds by one game.
--Field Level Media
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