Sure, Marcus Stroman was brutal in his last seven or so starts before he ended up on the injured list, but there's no denying that if he can come back healthy later in September then he can strengthen the Cubs starting rotation. The latest is certainly an encouraging update on Stroman, who returned to throwing in Arizona on Monday.

Stroman reportedly threw 35 pitches in a bullpen side session at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. Although the right-handed pitcher didn't face any batters, the exercise proved to be a great first step in Stroman's return.

Via The Cub Reporter.

"Looked to be throwing free & easy. About half a dozen Cubs coaches & staff were watching from near the mound, with cameras placed all around the mound and behind home plate. Lots of high fives and fist pumps after he finished."

Fantastic.

Stroman last pitched at the end of July, and was lit up by the Cincinnati Reds, allowing six runs on six hits in three innings. That capped off a stretch in which the veteran righty gave up 30 earned runs in 30 innings in a span of seven starts from June 25 through July 31.

The Cubs placed Stroman on the injured list because of inflammation in his right hip and at the time the team believed he would miss the minimal 15 days sidelined. Stroman did receive a cortisone shot for the injury, but then a few days before his scheduled return against the White Sox, the Cubs discovered a rib fracture inside the pitcher.

Stroman was shutdown and neither he nor the team had a timetable for his come back. However, seeing that he's back on the mound after only a couple of weeks of rest is definitely a great sign for Stroman.

Again, maybe some Cubs fans are scoffing at the idea that Stroman can be good again because of his last impression, but that has to be because of recency bias. Stroman hasn't just been good when healthy, he has been great.

Marcus Stroman Update

According to Michael Bolling, Marcus Stroman will be back with the Cubs on Sept. 15, next Friday, when the team begins a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road. As we know, Stroman has been in Arizona, working to ramp up for his return.

The second intriguing update is that according to Chicago baseball reporter Bruce Levine, when Stroman does come back to the team he'll be used as a reliever.

The reason for that is because there just might not be enough time for Stroman to get fully stretched out to start this season after his long layoff. Stroman last pitched in a game on July 31.

Looks like Stroman has taken the next step in his rehab, now facing live hitters off the mound.

As many fans have pointed out, it's possible that if Stroman does indeed return as soon as next week, then the Cubs might actually use him to start games as the "opener" and then getting him out after he reaches a certain pitch limit. That could definitely help when, for example, rookie Jordan Wicks is scheduled to start. You could go Stroman for two innings, then get Wicks in there for another five. That definitely shortens the game and gives the team and Stroman a clear plan on how to attack his appearances.

During his career, Stroman has six total relief outings, covering 10.1 innings. All of those appearances out of the bullpen came during Stroman's rookie season in 2014 with the Toronto Blue Jays.