Right-hander Alec Mills will be the team's No. 5 starter, manager David Ross confirmed Wednesday afternoon. That was the expectation given his performance in summer camp and the pitching schedule that he was on.
An extra spot in the rotation opened up when left-hander Jose Quintana sliced his thumb open while washing dishes in late June and subsequently underwent surgery. Quintana is expected to be out for about half of the 60-game season.
Mills will follow right-hander Kyle Hendricks, right-hander Yu Darvish, right-hander Tyler Chatwood and left-hander Jon Lester in the rotation for the Cubs' first five games.
"Alec will be our fifth starter," Ross said. "He's done everything he's needed to do. He was in the competition for that in the first spring that Chatty won. Alec has done a great job.
"Couldn't be happier with Alec. He's done a great job for us. I like the way he competes."
Mills, 28, posted a 2.75 ERA in 36 innings across nine appearances, including four starts, for the Cubs in 2019.