RHP Jason Motte (right shoulder strain) will throw a light bullpen session in Scottsdale, Ariz., his first since his final Cactus League appearance March 24. In the offseason, the Rockies signed Motte to a two-year, $10 million contract to fortify the back end of their bullpen.

RHP Jason Motte (right shoulder strain) will throw a light bullpen session in Scottsdale, Ariz., this weekend, his first since his final Cactus League appearance March 24.

RHP Jason Motte (right shoulder strain) is making progress at the Rockies' complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., but isn't close to joining the Rockies. Trainer Keith Dugger said, "He's doing strengthening exercises. The next step for him is to start playing catch and we should see that in the next couple of days. He's pain free. We are just letting it heal a little bit." The Rockies signed Motte to a two-year, $10 million contract in the offseason to bolster the back end of their bullpen. He was a candidate to begin the season as the Rockies' closer -- that role belongs to Jake McGee -- before shoulder soreness prevented him from pitching in the Cactus League after March 24.

RHP Jason Motte (right shoulder strain) is pain-free, progressing with his strengthening exercises at the Rockies' complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., and will attempt to play catch in the next couple days.

RHP Jason Motte (right shoulder strain) is expected to begin throwing again shortly. "We've had him resting for a couple of weeks now, and he is getting closer," manager Walt Weiss said. Motte, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Rockies in the offseason, gave up six runs in six spring appearances. He is expected to be a setup man when he returns.

RHP Jason Motte (right shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 25. The timetable for his return is uncertain.

RHPs Jason Motte and Chad Qualls signed two-year deals with the Rockies on TuesdayMotte signed a two-year, $10 million contract after a bounceback season with the Cubs. Motte, who led the league with 42 saves with the Cardinals in 2012, had six saves and a 3.91 ERA in 2014.

Motte (shoulder) left the Cubs on Saturday to continue his rehab at the team's complex in Arizona.

Motte is not expected to be ready for Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh, but he might be able to return if the Cubs advance to the NLDS. He's been on the DL since Aug. 24.

Motte (shoulder) has been throwing on flat ground, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

He has not started throwing off a mound yet, and therefore he probably won't be able to log too many appearances before the end of the season.

Motte was placed on the 15-day DL Monday with a right shoulder strain, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Motte's injury likely surfaced following his outing Sunday, and it will now force him to the disabled list. Zac Rosscup was recalled to take his spot in the bullpen for the time being, and the rosters will be expanded by the time Motte returns from his shoulder issue.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Motte was placed on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder Monday, according to MLB.com.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Motte was placed on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder Monday, according to MLB.com. Motte, who is 8-1 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP out of the Chicago bullpen, was reportedly injured Sunday. Zac Rosscup was recalled from Triple-A on Monday to take his place on the roster.

Motte itched a scoreless sixth inning and earned his eighth win of the season Friday.

It's been an up and down season for Motte, but considering what he cost on draft day, eight wins, six saves, and nine holds isn't a bad haul.

Motte did not pitch in Friday's game and has made just one appearance in the Cubs' last five games.

Given how much manager Joe Maddon has been using his bullpen lately, it's a bit troublesome that Motte hasn't been getting the ball much over the last week. The Cubs have won 14 out of 15 and the bullpen has been a big reason, but Motte's struggles since the All-Star break may have pushed him down the pecking order a bit. Hector Rondon is the clear closer right now.

Motte gave up one run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Saturday.

He may not have been pitching in a save situation, but he pitched poorly enough that the pitcher after him (Justin Grimm) got the save. Motte briefly looked like the closer for the Cubs, but his last eight appearances have been troublesome, as he has given up seven runs and 11 hits in just 5.2 innings. On the bright side, he's picked up three holds and has a 5:1 K:BB during that span and his team is winning.

The Cubs used Hector Rondon - and not Motte - to save games on both Wednesday and Thursday.

It made sense that Motte didn't come in Wednesday, as he had pitched in the previous two games (and not particularly well), but putting in Rondon in the ninth inning Thursday was a bit of a suprise. Pedro Strop and Rafael Soriano had already been used, so Motte made the most sense - if he were still the closer. This situation bears monitoring, but for now it appears that Rondon has regained control of the job for the Cubs.

Motte pitched a scoreless ninth inning against the Rockies in a non-save situation Tuesday.

One day after failing to record an out and giving way to Rafael Soriano, Motte returned the favor. While Motte has struggled a bit in July, he still appears to be the primary closer in Chicago.

Motte failed to record an out and was charged with three runs in the ninth inning of Monday's eventual 9-8 win over the Rockies.

Motte entered the game with a 7-4 lead, but allowed a leadoff homer and then surrendered a single and double before he was given the hook. He wasn't credited with the blown save after Rafael Soriano served up the go-ahead homer to Carlos Gonzalez, but Motte's last two outings have nonetheless challenged his security as the Cubs' closer. With another poor showing in the near future, Motte could soon cede ninth-inning duties to Soriano, Hector Rondon, or Pedro Strop.

Motte gave up a run on a pair of hits while blowing a save opportunity for the first time this season in Friday's game against the Phillies.

The run allowed Friday was his first since play resumed after the All-Star break (five appearances). Motte was used in the ninth after Hector Rondon pitched the eighth, an arrangement that has become more consistent for the Cubs throughout July as Motte has three saves during the current month while Rondon has not recorded any.

Motte struck out one during a clean ninth inning Sunday against the Marlins to earn his fourth save of the season.

The hard-throwing righty is one of several late-inning options in the Cubs' bullpen but has now earned two saves in his last three appearances. Motte will continue to serve as part of a closer by committee for the time being, but his 2.82 ERA and 1.06 WHIP make him a worthy candidate whenever a save situation does arise.

In his last 16 innings, Motte has given up just one run and nine hits and has a 12:2 K:BB. Not coincidentally, he has also earned three saves in that time.

The Cubs have been playing around with their bullpen over the last several weeks and Motte may be the closer now, even as nothing official has been announced. After a poor start to the season, Motte's recent strong pitching has lowered his ERA to 2.93 and WHIP to 1.08. Despite Hector Rondon also pitching well, Motte has three saves since June 7 to Rondon's two in that span.