Report: Cubs considering releasing Gregg

Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein is considering releasing closer Kevin Gregg after Gregg complained in a postgame tirade on Friday that the Cubs were thinking about replacing him as the team's closer next season, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Gregg's complaints to the media came after he yielded four runs in the ninth inning of the Cubs' 9-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

"The game didn't unfold the way I wanted it to, but from what they told me over the past few days it makes it difficult to play anyways, let alone knowing what they think," Gregg said. "... For an organization to come out and say, 'Hey, we are going to go a different direction,' a little professional courtesy would have been nice.

"I think [the change at closer] shows me that they are not that interested in me coming back here. I will worry about next year next year, but this gives me a good indication of their thoughts going forward."

Manager Dale Sveum had said on Wednesday that he was considering using Pedro Strop as the closer in some games this season to see what he could do. Gregg said Sveum informed him of the move but thought that the decision had been made by Epstein.

Gregg entered Friday's game with a 2.90 ERA and 32 saves, and Sveum has lauded the work Gregg has done this season.

But Epstein did not appreciate Gregg complaining about his perceived role publically.

"I called him up to Dale's office to tell him how disappointed I was with him, given the way we treated him this year," Epstein said, according to ESPN.com. "I think it took him a couple of minutes to understand he had misunderstood Dale. He ultimately apologized to me and to Dale. I told him I would sleep on it and decide if we would have any disciplinary action."

Gregg said he mistakenly thought the Cubs were replacing him as the closer on a permanent basis.

Epstein is still considering releasing Gregg.

The Cubs had signed Gregg to a Minor League contract in April after the Dodgers released him.