:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60594729/usa_today_10704901.0.jpg)
In the flurry of activity surrounding the Cole Hamels trade, it was noted that Hamels won’t arrive in St. Louis until Saturday and it’s not yet clear when he’ll make his first start.
Since Eddie Butler was included in the Hamels deal, that would have left the Cubs one man short for Friday’s game...
#Cubs recall Alec Mills from Iowa. He takes Butler's spot on roster (Hamels due on Saturday)
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 27, 2018
Travel update: New #Cubs pitcher Cole Hamels will be traveling on Saturday and not expected to arrive in time to be added to roster (which explains why Mills is here)
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 27, 2018
So it sounds like Hamels won’t be ready to be activated until Sunday.
Alec Mills was acquired from the Royals February 6, 2017 in exchange for Donnie Dewees (who’s had a pretty mediocre year split between Double-A and Triple-A in the KC system this year). Mills missed most of last year with injuries, making only seven appearances (and six more in the Arizona Fall League).
In 2018, he’s made 19 starts at Triple-A Iowa, posting a 4.79 ERA and 1.384 WHIP. His only big-league appearances were three relief outings for the Royals in 2016, one in May, two in September. Two of them were pretty bad, the other good, the results: 13.50 ERA, 2.400 WHIP.
He’ll be available out of the bullpen for the games tonight and tomorrow, likely in mop-up situations. Let’s hope he is simply a spectator. He’ll wear uniform No. 24, last worn by Dexter Fowler in 2016.