Cubs roster move: Alec Mills to injured list, Tommy Nance called up

Alec Mills threw 39 pitches in Saturday’s 9-8 Cubs loss to the Tigers and it did not go well; he allowed two hits, two walks and three runs. In fact, after a pretty good start to 2021, Mills’ last four outings: 11.57 ERA, 2.571 WHIP in seven innings.

Today, the Cubs placed Mills on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain and called up righthander Tommy Nance from Triple-A Iowa.

Nance, who turned 30 in March was signed by the Cubs out of indy ball in 2016 and has been in the team’s minor-league system since then. This year at Iowa he’s made three appearances covering six innings with a 1.50 ERA, and walked one and struck out 10.

Nance takes the 40-man roster spot that was vacated Saturday when Ildemaro Vargas was designated for assignment. The 40-man roster is now full.

Nance is available out of the bullpen for Sunday’s game and will wear uniform No. 45, which was last worn by Brandon Workman earlier this year, and before that by Matt Dermody in 2020.