(670 The Score) The Cubs have four slots in their starting rotation set as Opening Day looms on March 26.
But who will be the Cubs' fifth starter when they begin the regular season? It's a competition that remains wide open, pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Friday morning.
The Cubs are considering right-hander Tyler Chatwood, right-hander Alec Mills, right-hander Adbert Alzolay and right-hander Colin Rea for the fifth spot in the rotation.
"We're going to give all four of those guys as good a look as we possibly can in spring," Hottovy said. "It's almost impossible to get all of them starts, but we try to build it out to where we're still going to build Adbert, we're still going to build up Colin if he didn't get a start in. Both Mills and Colin Rea are both starting this weekend in Vegas, so they're both going to get another round of starts.
"It's going to be fun to watch. It's going to be interesting to see how things play out the last two weeks of camp here. But when we talk about those four names -- and even adding a guy, Jharel Cotton, who we added this offseason too -- really having some starter depth.
"That puts us in a good place when the season starts."
The veteran Chatwood, 30, is the most experienced of the Cubs' options for the fifth spot. He has started 138 games and made 192 appearances in his eight-year MLB career, over which he has a 4.38 ERA. Chatwood has made three appearances this spring, posting a 3.00 ERA over six innings. He had a 3.76 ERA in 38 appearances, including five starts, in 2019. He was relegated mostly to the bullpen last season after he had a poor 2018 season.
Mills, 28, has impressed this spring, throwing six shutout innings across three appearances. Alzolay, 24, has allowed five earned runs over three innings in Cactus League play. Rea, 29, has allowed four earned runs in five innings across three appearances this spring.
