Inside The Cubs

Cubs Planning To Move Standout Reliever Into Starting Rotation

The Chicago Cubs seem to be moving their standout reliever into the starting rotation.

Brad Wakai

Apr 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea (53) delivers during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field
Apr 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea (53) delivers during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field / Matt Marton-Imagn Images
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Pitching seemed to be at the top of the wish list for the Chicago Cubs this past winter.

However, instead of going after some high-profile starting pitchers, they only added Matthew Boyd on a short-term commitment that could pay off if he stays healthy and performs well.

Now, with Justin Steele going on the injured list, it's fair to say the Cubs didn't do enough to address their rotation that already was thin coming into the year.

Chicago can't go back in time to change things, but they can be aggressive going forward.

Whether they look to make another blockbuster trade ahead of the deadline will be seen, but in the meantime, it seems like their plan is to move Colin Rea into the starting rotation with him expected to make a start on Sunday, per Maddie Lee of The Chicago Sun-Times.

Rea was signed to a one-year deal this offseason with the expectation that he would be a swingman.

His ability to pitch out of the bullpen and step into a starting role is now already on full display with this move, highlighting the versatility that he has that made him attractive to the Cubs this winter.

So far, Rea has been an effective reliever for the team.

In three outings, he's pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings where he's given up just five hits and has issued no walks to go along with two strikeouts.

How those numbers translate into a starting role will be seen.

But with Steele on the IL and the team scrambling to replace that production, it seems like they'll turn to the veteran right-hander as their first option.

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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai

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