MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) – The battle to be the Cubs’ fifth starter remains a toss-up as spring training continues.
As of Monday, veteran right-hander Colin Rea may have the inside track to fill the last rotation slot when the MLB season gets going stateside in late March. Rea threw three shutout innings in the Cubs’ win against the Guardians on Saturday in Cactus League play.
A pair of youngsters in left-hander Jordan Wicks and right-hander Ben Brown remain in the picture as well. Right-hander Javier Assad was the assumed No. 5 starter, but he’s dealing with a left oblique strain that will sideline him to start the season.
In other words, it’s a fluid situation and subject to change, as manager Craig Counsell often notes.
“The idea is getting outs in the big leagues,” Counsell said. “We don't always know from year to year where that goes. Some guys will start and some will pitch out of the bullpen. It would great if it was super clean and we had eight relievers and five starters, but with the messiness of the season, you will communicate to the pitchers a message and leave it at that.”
Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd are in line to be the top four starters in the Cubs' rotation.
Wicks and Brown have been getting starting assignments in Cactus League play, but their roles to start the season haven’t been determined. Counsell acknowledged it’s difficult for any pitcher, including Rea, to move back and forth between the rotation and bullpen.
The 34-year-old Rea posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 32 appearances, including 27 starts, in 2024.
“I still think it's kind of a challenge for Colin,” Counsell said. "It's really challenging to go back and forth. We have to be cognizant of that, but it still is going to happen at times. Colin has done it before. He has some experience in that area. Brown has done it. We still acknowledge it is hard.”
Wicks, 25, had a 5.48 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 46 innings across 11 appearances, including 10 starts, in 2024. Wicks and the Cubs both believe he’s at his best starting games, though he also didn’t mind when the club used him out of the bullpen recently.
“The role was exciting for me,” Wicks said. “If the time comes this year and they need me in that role, I will be ready to pitch.”
Wicks and Brown both have minor league options remaining, so the Cubs can send them to Triple-A Iowa if they believe being in the rotation consistently is key to their development. Of course, Brown has already proved himself as a valuable weapon out of the bullpen, so he’s ready to fill that role.
Brown feels he’s at 100% health after suffering from a neck injury in the second half of the 2024 season.
“I believe that depth on a team is a great thing to have,” Brown said. “My intention is that once I get a role and if it is fluid like last year, I want to be ready for that and dominate in that role. I will tackle the rest of spring training and see what it is.”
The Cubs also have veteran right-hander Brad Keller in camp as a non-roster invitee on a minor league contract. He’s being looked at as a possible fifth starter or long relief option.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.