Butch Dill - USA Today Sports
Butch Dill - USA Today Sports

Cubs reportedly calling up lefty reliever


by - Senior Editor -

The Chicago Cubs will be calling up lefty reliever Tim Collins to take Jon Lester's spot on the roster on Wednesday according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

Lester is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered rounding third base during the Cubs 10-0 win in the home opener.

Collins has pitched 2.2 innings this season (3 appearances) at Triple-A Iowa giving up a run and striking out three batters.

During spring training with the Twins in 2019, the 29-year old had a 4.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 12:3 strikeout to walk ratio in 7.1 innings.

For his MLB career through five seasons, he has a 3.62 ERA and 241 strikeouts. He has pitched for the Nationals (2018), Royals (2011-2014), and now the Cubs.

He has been injury-prone as he has bounced back admirably from two previous Tommy John surgeries (2015, 2016).

Cubs President of Operations Theo Epstein is a big fan of Collins.

“I love his competitiveness,” he said via the Chicago Tribune in the offseason. “He’s someone who never backs down and goes right after guys. He really has a ton of self-belief and he’s got legitimate stuff too. He’s got an above-average fastball and knows how to use it up in the zone. He’s always had a very good curveball and has developed a cutter that gives him another look against lefties that he can use as a chase pitch, and a guy who can miss a bat. That’s an interesting different look than some of the other left-handed relievers we have who have their own strengths.”

Cubs have signed Collins to a major-league deal worth $950,000 this season.

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