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The Cubs decided to DFA left-handed reliever Brian Duensing on Sunday and in a corresponding move the team also signed lefty Tim Collins to a deal.
The #Cubs and LHP Tim Collins have agreed to terms on a 2019 contract. Collins has been optioned to @IowaCubs.
To make room for Collins on the 40-man roster, LHP Brian Duensing has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/GBXeh3Zw2Q
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 24, 2019
With Duensing out of the picture and Joe Maddon still wanting two lefties in the bullpen, Collins will at some point pitch for the Cubs in 2019, but as of now the last reliever battle is between Randy Rosario and Kyle Ryan.
But first a quick summary of Collins. He came up through the Blue Jays organization, first being discovered in independent ball. He was traded to the Braves on July 14, 2010, and then the Braves traded him to the Royals 17 days later. Collins made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Royals and pitched in 228 games from 2011-14.
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Collins finished the 2012 season with 93 strikeouts in 69.2 innings. The 93 strikeouts were second most for a left-handed reliever behind Aroldis Chapman. After four solid years in Kansas City, Collins had not one, but two Tommy John surgeries. That made him miss all of 2015 and 2016. Collins came back with the Nationals and pitched in 38 games last year, posting a 4.37 ERA in 22.2 innings.
The lefty spent most of this spring training with the Twins and was released a few days ago. Now he’s with the Cubs and again should be up with the team at some point this year.
As for the last spot in the bullpen, it’s between Rosario and Ryan. Rosario had a 3.66 ERA in 46.2 innings last year. Despite the decent numbers, he was hit hard and had a high 1.48 WHIP.
Meanwhile, Ryan has 128 MLB innings under his belt, pitching for the Tigers from 2014-17. He has a career 3.87 ERA. In 2016, Ryan recorded a 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 55.2 innings. Last year at Triple-A Iowa, Ryan pitched 66 innings and had a 2.86 ERA.
Mike Montgomery will be other lefty in the Cubs bullpen and with Pedro Strop looking like he’ll be ready for Opening Day, here’s what the pen will be.
Pedro Strop
Carl Edwards Jr.
Steve Cishek
Brad Brach
Brandon Kintzler
Tyler Chatwood
Mike Montgomery
Randy Rosario or Kyle Ryan
The Cubs also have plenty of pitching depth at Triple-A. Any one of the following names has a good shot at pitching in the majors in 2019.
Allen Webster
Adbert Alzolay
Dillon Maples
Dakota Mekkes
Alec Mills
Rowan Wick
James Norwood
The Cubs start the season at Texas on Thursday.
