Cubs Adding Two Veterans Back To Their Pitching Staff

The Cubs started the 2020 season with an unbelievable run from the starting rotation. However, the last two weeks obviously haven’t been as good and coupled with José Quintana’s thumb injury that delayed him in July, the Cubs were also without Tyler Chatwood.

But there’s good news for the pitching staff, as Quintana and Chatwood will be back against the Tigers this week. Before the series opener on Monday, Cubs manager David Ross announced that Chatwood is going to start on Tuesday, while Quintana will begin his return with the team coming out of the bullpen.

Chatwood went on the injured list last Sunday after he was scratched from his start against the Brewers that same weekend. The right-hander’s back tightened up, but after some additional rest and throwing a bullpen session this past weekend he’s healthy to go back into the rotation.

As for the decision to move Quintana in the bullpen it probably has more to do with the Cubs’ lack of options from the left side late in games. Kyle Ryan is currently the only lefty reliever in the Cubs’ bullpen and he hasn’t been effective this year, as his velocity has decreased from a year ago.

Quintana missed the first couple weeks of summer camp following thumb surgery after a dish-washing accident caused nerve damage for the Cubs pitcher. He’s been building up his pitch count in bullpen sessions for the past few weeks and he’s definitely going to be used in big spots by Ross and not just against left-handed hitters. But obviously having a capable left-hander helps to get out tough lefties late in games.

Cubs fans are also hoping that Adbert Alzolay gets called up again. No word on him as of now though.