(670 The Score) It’s not often that a pitcher throws a no-hitter one season, keeps up his usual form and then gets demoted to the bullpen the next spring.
Such was the case for Cubs right-hander Alec Mills, who was sent to the bullpen when the team named right-hander Adbert Alzolay their No. 5 starter at the end of spring training. Needless to say, the development wasn’t easy for Mills to digest.
"I came in competing for the fifth spot, and I am not going to lie, it did not feel great,” Mills said of initially learning his new role. “At the same time, (Alzolay) is more than ready to have success and I am more than happy to help us win in other ways. For me, it was just about taking the rest of that day. The next day was a new day. I am still playing baseball for the Chicago Cubs and having fun contributing.”
On Monday, Mills’ new role led to him earning his second career save by closing down the Cubs’ 5-3 win against the Brewers.
“Millsy is very versatile for us,” manager David Ross said. “He has handled all the roles I put him in last year and the short term this year. He is always ready.
He is a strike thrower. When you are making decisions, trust is a big thing for me. He has gained some trust and had success against a lot of those guys in that (Brewers) lineup.”
Mills, 29, had a 4.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 11 starts for the Cubs in the shortened 2020 season, which also featured him throwing a no-hitter against the Brewers. Mills has throw two scoreless innings in two appearances this season.
“Those are tough conversations,” Ross said of informing Mills he was headed to the bullpen. “You have them with the guys and try to be up front and honest. When I try to explain to them, there are a lot of positives. I try to convey to him and why I am able to put him down in the pen. He is so multi-faceted. It's a positive in my mind, not a negative. I don't want to deliver that news and not see the guy upset about not getting his chance to start. You want him to be (ticked) off. He said when he left that meeting, he would do everything he can to help the team. That is just the type of player he is. He will get starts this year. I have no doubt about that.”
Mills understands that every pitcher’s role in the big leagues is important, and he’ll be ready to fill any of them.
“I told you all a lot that I think I have the ability to pitch in many different situations,” Mills said. “It is kind of job security for me. It's something I can do. I can spot start. I feel I can start all year for a team, and if you need a middle-inning reliever or like last night if you need a save, so it's kind of something new every day. It’s fun.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.