The Cubs’ need for late-inning relief help for at least the first month of the 2019 season has become as important as acquiring an impact hitter.

President Theo Epstein revealed Thursday that closer Brandon Morrow, who missed the entire second half of 2018 because of a bone bruise in his right arm, likely won’t be ready for opening day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery Nov. 6 to repair cartilage and remove bone debris.

“It underscores the need for depth and late-inning options early in the year,” Epstein said in a briefing before baseball’s annual winter meetings, which start Sunday in Las Vegas.

Morrow’s procedure, similar to the Sept. 12 cleanup on pitcher Yu Darvish, will prevent him from throwing until Feb. 6 — about a week before spring training.

The Cubs have scoured the free-agent and trade markets for late-inning relievers, but the public knowledge of Morrow’s latest setback could put a premium on the cost.

Pedro Strop, who earned 11 saves in the second half while Morrow was sidelined, has the most experience closing games among current candidates but mostly has handled setup duties the last three seasons.

Meanwhile, Epstein remained vague about detailing the Cubs’ 2019 payroll and whether they can add an impact hitter, such as free agent Bryce Harper.

“I understand the desire for a big name every winter,” said Epstein, who is juggling a payroll that will be the highest in franchise history and could exceed the luxury-tax threshold of $206 million. “And there will be winters when we do acquire a big name, and there will be winters that we don’t acquire a big name.

“I don’t know what category this winter will fall into yet, but there’s a chance there’s going to be a winter where we don’t acquire a big name from outside the organization. That does not represent failure. We should be judged on the product on the field, how many games we win, whether we make the playoffs, how we perform in October.”

Cubs President Theo Epstein takes reporters' questions during a news conference at the Cubs executive offices in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Cubs President Theo Epstein takes reporters' questions during a news conference at the Cubs executive offices in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Based on his conversations with returning players, Epstein could rely on offensive improvements from within a roster that won 95 games but scored one run or fewer in 40 games and saw its OPS fall from a league-leading .771 in the first half to .705 (10th) in the second.

“It’s time to perform,” said Epstein, speaking for himself as well as the rest of the organization.

“This year is really a reckoning in a lot of ways. We do have a lot to prove. It sounds funny after 95 wins, but it feels like we underperformed. I think you’re going to see a highly motivated group of players out there, whether we have a big offseason or a more nuanced offseason to judge us on how we play next year.”

The Cardinals’ addition of slugger Paul Goldschmidt wasn’t lost on Epstein, whose Cubs fell to the Brewers in a one-game playoff for the division title, then dropped the NL wild-card game to the Rockies, putting an abrupt end to their fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

“Whoever wins the NL Central, it’s going to have to be earned — as it should be,” Epstein said.

Epstein said Kris Bryant, the 2016 NL Most Valuable Player who missed 50 games last season because of a left shoulder injury, is “progressing without limitations” and wasn’t concerned after a report that he could be traded.

Trainer PJ Mainville told Epstein that Darvish was expected to resume throwing in two weeks and looked “strong and healthy” during a recent visit.

But the Cubs are still looking for a bench player — a middle infielder or catcher — “to help put us in the right direction, playing with purpose and with a mission as a team with a sense of urgency in 2019 because we’ll need it,” Epstein said.

Javier Baez will handle the shortstop duties, at least until Addison Russell completes a 40-game suspension in early May for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic-abuse policy. In the meantime, Epstein stressed the Cubs will continue their involvement in prevention and monitoring Russell’s counseling.

Russell is eligible for a 10-game minor-league rehab assignment during the final days of his suspension.

“At appropriate junctures, certainly I’m sure toward the end of spring training there will be an opportunity to check in on him,” Epstein said.

mgonzales@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @MDGonzales

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