The Chicago Cubs may be forced into a closer-by-committee strategy as they head toward October.

Joe Maddon was asked Wednesday if there was enough time to get ailing Brandon Morrow back.

"Barely," Maddon said. "We're very much aware of that. Would love to have him back; but even if he does come back, how do you utilize that, because you can't just push him two days in a row."

Morrow had 22 saves in the first half of the season, but he has been out since the All-Star break with a biceps issue.

Maddon will continue to mix and match, but he has used Pedro Strop more often than not.

"In a perfect world, you probably will see Strop at the end of the game," Maddon admitted. "We have other guys capable of getting the last three outs."