Chicago recalled right-hander Colin Rea from its alternate training site in South Bend and optioned right-hander Dillon Maples there, the team announced ahead of a series finale at Cincinnati on Thursday. The shuffle came as the Cubs bullpen has posted an MLB-worst 9.16 ERA in the first six games.
Rea, 30, returns to the big leagues for the first time since 2016 with the Marlins and will be available when the Cubs face the Reds on Thursday. He was 14-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts at Triple-A Iowa in 2019, when he earned Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year honors.
Maples, 28, has struggled mightily with his command. He allowed three runs, two earned, while walking four batters and allowing a hit without recording an out in the Cubs' 12-7 loss to the Reds on Wednesday evening. Maples also had a 5.40 ERA in 14 appearances for the Cubs in 2019.