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There’s a good chance that right-handed pitcher Dillon Maples has thrown his last pitch with the Cubs in the majors.
After another brutal outing Wednesday night against the Reds that saw Maples walk four guys and allow a hit without recording an out, the righty has been optioned to the South Bend camp.
Right-handed pitcher Colin Rea has been called up and will be in the Cubs bullpen taking Maples’ spot.
It was just time to call it quits for Maples.
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Rea, 30, does have MLB experience with the Padres and Marlins. He’s pitched in 26 games, making 25 starts in the big leagues and has recorded a 4.69 ERA in 134.1 innings.
The Cubs picked him up following the 2018 season and Rea had a stellar campaign at Triple-A in 2019. He made 26 starts and posted a 3.95 ERA in 148 innings, with 120 strikeouts and 60 walks and a 14-4 record. Although that ERA seems just above average, Rea actually had the second-lowest ERA in the PCL, as offensive numbers exploded at Triple-A last year.
This is the second bullpen change for the Cubs through five games, as Brad Wieck was placed on the injured list after Saturday’s game against the Brewers. He was replaced by Ryan Tepera.
