Tip your cap to Alec Mills, as he did a perfectly solid job as a fill-in starter. But with the Cubs not needing a fifth starter again until the first week of August – when Cole Hamels is set to return – the Cubs have instead opted to bring up a fresh reliever.
Mills optioned, LHP Tim Collins up
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) July 23, 2019
Tim Collins is not necessarily an impactful lefty, but he’s a fresh arm that could perhaps help the Cubs with some match-ups. The whole bullpen is going to maneuvered heavily in the coming week, so no matter how he performs, Collins might not be long for the pen.
As for Mills, he’ll return to a starting gig at Iowa, until and unless the Cubs need another start or want his arm in the pen. If it doesn’t come sooner, there’s a good bet he’ll be back up in September.