The Cubs "saddened" to learn Tigers' shot of former pitching coach Chris Bosio

LOS ANGELES – The Cubs reacted with amazement and sadness on Wednesday to the news that the Tigers had fired the pitching coach Chris Bosio, would have "racially insensitive" comments to an employee of the team.

Bosio was hired by the Tigers in October after spending the previous six seasons as a coach launching Cubs for staffs that ranked at or near the top of the National League during last three years.

"It's very sad, it's hard," director of the Cubs Joe Maddon I said. "I feel bad for him and his family, I was not there, I do not know about [the details]. He has done a lot of good work for us for so many years. It's a difficult situation to live in now. This is a potential end-of-career situation, and it's hard. "

Bosio was known to be gruff sometimes, but the Cubs say that they never had problems like the ones that were alluded to in the incident with the Tigers.

"He was Boz, he's a blunt object," said Maddon. "There are difficult conversations, but we have not had this problem."

Pedro Strop, a member of the pitching team since the middle of the 2013 season, said that Bosio was well liked by the pitchers. He was particularly close with Kyle Hendricks, who credited Bosio by helping him become the pitcher who won the 2016 ERA title.

"He was a very important part of our team of coaches, and we owe him gratitude for his work on our pitching team, which for many of those years were some of the best in baseball," said the general manager. . Jed Hoyer I said. "I was really sad when I saw the news today."

The shooting came just six days before the Tigers visit Wrigley Field for a two-game series.

Bullpen regains strength

Cubs activated closer Brandon Morrow from the list of disabled 10 days the first day he was eligible after recovering from the tightness of the pants.

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"He definitely sets the bullpen up differently, there is no question," Maddon said. "Obviously, the next step is to get Carl [[[[Edwards Jr.]back. Once that happens and you put Stropy and[[[[Steve] Cishek Back even further, you can see how difficult our pen can be. "

Edwards started a second tidal session on Tuesday, as a painful shoulder put him on the DL last month. Maddon said that Edwards would begin a minor-league rehabilitation badignment on Friday or Saturday. After its appearance, the Cubs will decide when it is ready to be activated.

Next Twins for Chatwood?

Tyler Chatwood, whose wife gave birth to their first child Sunday, is returning from paternity leave on Thursday and could be at stake for a return to Saturday or Sunday home rotation against the Twins.

For now, the Cubs have planned only Mike Montgomery for the opening of this series on Friday, leaving the other two games open pending Chatwood returns and eventually Yu Darvish. Jon Lester, whose turn falls Sunday, could be postponed to Tuesday.

Rizzo breather

Slump first base player Anthony Rizzo took a day off Wednesday and should come back Thursday against Dodgers Clayton Kershaw.

Rizzo, mired in a 2-23 loss, is 7-in-23 (.304) in his career against the Kershaw southpaw with three homers, two doubles and two walks.