CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The Cubs will be without ace left-hander Jon Lester for at least one round through the rotation after he was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left hamstring strain. With that development, embattled right-hander Tyler Chatwood will get another crack as a starter.
After opening the regular season in the bullpen as an innings-eating reliever, the 29-year-old Chatwood will get his first start of the season when the Cubs host the Angels on Sunday. Chatwood may receive just one start, as the Cubs are positioned with an off day on April 18 to potentially work with a four-man rotation in the expected short time without Lester.
Chatwood signed a three-year, $38-million deal ahead of the 2018 season, then struggled mightily in going 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA while issuing an MLB-worst 8.2 walks per nine innings. Chatwood has thrown five innings of relief this season, allowing four earned runs and issuing four walks.
Despite Chatwood's early struggles, manager Joe Maddon continues to publicly express confidence in him.
"You can't get better if you're not accountable, and he has been coming off of last season," Maddon said on 670 The Score on Tuesday. "The most significant thing is the alteration in his delivery. He's really streamlined it to a point, and that's the reason why you're seeing more consistent strike throwing.
"Believe me, his stuff is prime. It's first-rate. It's as good as it gets. If we get this guy on a roll, there's no telling what he can do."
Chatwood threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings in a 4-2 loss at Milwaukee on Sunday. Prior to that, he worked two innings without a walk in Atlanta last Thursday, his first appearance in a Cubs uniform without issuing a free pass.
The Cubs called up left-handed reliever Tim Collins from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move to Lester's placement on the injured list. Collins, 29, has a 3.62 ERA over 266 career relief appearances.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
