Cubs activate Craig Kimbrel from injured list

Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel, who last pitched September 1, was placed on the injured list four days later, retroactive to September 2, with right elbow inflammation.

That’s never a good sign, but after a couple of bullpen sessions and a simulated game Tuesday, he’s being activated for Thursday’s game against the Cardinals:

Kimbrel has made 21 appearances for the Cubs and has 13 saves in 15 opportunities. At times he’s looked like the lights-out Kimbrel of old, with 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings. On the other hand, his walk rate is an unsightly 5.2 per nine, and he’s allowed six home runs in 19 innings. In that last outing September 1, he was one strike away from getting out of the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead when he served up a three-run homer to Christian Yelich.

Hopefully, he’s at 100 percent, or as close as a pitcher can be to 100 percent this time of year, and can be a difference-maker against the Cardinals beginning tonight

Here's some other good news: