Cubs' relievers plan to put to work lessons from last season's fade

PEORIA, Ariz. — Julian Merryweather and some of his Cubs bullpen mates learned the hard way about the rigors of a 162-game season.

‘‘I thought I knew it until I went through it last year,’’ Merryweather said. ‘‘You learn a lot more about it, just the grind of a full season as a reliever.’’

The bullpen, which helped carry the Cubs to playoff contention through a large chunk of the second half of last season, faded miserably in September, largely because of fatigue and injuries that became magnified during a stretch in which the team lost seven of eight games and lost Adbert Alzolay, Mark Leiter Jr. and Michael Fulmer to injuries.

Alzolay, Leiter and Merryweather return with the determination to remain healthy and effective through an entire season and help the Cubs attain the National League playoff berth that seemed a lock last season until their late swoon.

‘‘If you’re not getting better, you won’t still be here,’’ Leiter said. ‘‘So I think the experience we all gained last year was tremendous. I think we didn’t meet our goals last year, but we played a lot of competitive baseball.

‘‘We got a taste of a lot of things that will help us build toward this year. I think we’ve added a few more [relievers], and . . . we have a lot of guys returning. We’ll keep growing together. I think we’re ready to take another step forward.’’

Leiter made no excuses for a back injury that inflated his ERA from 2.84 to 3.50 in September. He had only three strikeouts in 7⅓ innings in the month.

‘‘There shouldn’t have been any qualms [about my back],’’ Leiter said. ‘‘I just kind of had a back spasm and ended up pitching back-to-back days with it. [It] kind of gave out on me, costing me a week, and I wasn’t the same after.’’

Alzolay suffered a strained right forearm that sidelined him for three weeks. He didn’t return until Sept. 29, the day before the Cubs were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Fulmer pitched only once after Aug. 24 and had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after the season ended.

Offseason additions Hector Neris and Yency Almonte add experience, and manager Craig Counsell spoke about the importance of depth in maintaining a healthy and effective bullpen.

Daniel Palencia, who was optioned last week to Triple-A Iowa, gained experience last season that should be helpful once he’s recalled.

But for the core relievers, extra rest — such as passing up a bullpen session or not playing catch — might be best. Leiter and Merryweather (69) and Alzolay (58) set career highs in appearances last season.

‘‘Save your bullets,’’ said Merryweather, who walked 12 in 10 innings in September. ‘‘Maybe there’s a time where you’re pitching back-to-back or a night game followed by a day game. You save your bullets for when they matter.”

Jose Cuas, Hayden Wesneski and Luke Little remain in contention for the final two spots in the bullpen with the season opener Thursday at the Rangers looming.