Strop eager to return, throws ‘pen session

CHICAGO — When the Cubs were on the West Coast, they got word that reliever Pedro Strop was feeling good. On Monday, Strop threw 25 pitches in his first official bullpen session, and showed what he meant.

“They think I’m rushing,” Strop said Monday. “Now [that they saw me], they know what I’m talking about.”

The right-hander is rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair a torn meniscus. He was placed on the disabled list Aug. 11 and projected to be sidelined four to six weeks.

“He’s definitely pushing a little bit,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Strop.

John Lackey, sidelined since Aug. 15 with a right shoulder strain, also threw a bullpen session Monday, while Hector Rondon continues to make progress. Rondon is rehabbing a strained right triceps.

“We’re trying to play it smart and not push them too quickly,” Maddon said.

Lackey will need at least one more bullpen before he can be inserted into the rotation.

Extra bases

• Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said he and the rest of the front office were discussing possible callups for when rosters expand on Thursday. Maddon said whoever is added will be “pertinent people who can help” the team win.

Epstein said they also …

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