Injuries to Cubs’ bullpen forcing manager Craig Counsell to be flexible

Manager Craig Counsell had mixed news about the Cubs’ beleaguered bullpen Sunday.Phil Maton (tendinitis in right knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday that Counsell said went well. The next step for Maton, who has been on the injured list since April 10, will be a live session Tuesday at Wrigley Field.The update on Hunter Harvey (inflammation in right triceps) wasn’t as positive. Counsell said Harvey, who was put on the IL on April 12, is still in the training room and not throwing. There are still no plans for him to have tests.Those issues, combined with the recent absence of closer Daniel Palencia (strained left oblique), have forced Counsell to mix and match relievers.‘‘When the names are changing quickly, then your plans are a little more flexible and they’re going to change a little quicker,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘We’ve got enough new bodies down there that, day-to-day, roles can change a little bit.’’Counsell still has tried to map out a plan for his bullpen before each game. Sometimes he can go with it, but other times he’s forced to change course.‘‘Ultimately, you’ve got to go into a game with some structure in your head of how you think the game is going to go and who’s going to be utilized, and you’ve got to stick with that,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘It’s not going to work every day with a healthy bullpen, but you have some structure every day going into the game.’’In a pinchMichael Conforto has two big hits as a pinch…

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