Rea (8-3) earned the win Friday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and four walks over five innings while recording five strikeouts.
For the fourth consecutive start, Rea earned the win and limited the damage to two or fewer runs. The only run charged to the right-hander Friday came on a third-inning RBI double by rookie Roman Anthony, but otherwise, the veteran kept Boston in check. Over this four-game win streak, the 35-year-old has quietly pieced together a 1.90 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 23.2 innings, showcasing an ability to navigate lineups with efficiency even without overpowering stuff. Rea will look to make it five straight when he takes the mound Wednesday, July 23 against Kansas City.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Grabs third straight win
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Rea (7-3) earned the win Thursday over the Twins, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.
Rea was sharp again Thursday, allowing just one run on a Kody Clemens solo homer in the fifth inning. The right-hander has won his last three starts, allowing only four runs on 10 hits across 18.2 innings during that span. Rea's ERA is down to 3.91 through 92 innings this season with a 1.26 WHIP and 65:23 K:BB.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Allows one hit in win
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Rea (6-3) earned the win against the Cardinals on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over 6.2 innings.
Rea surrendered just one hit, a solo home run in the fourth inning, despite generating only six swinging strikes on 97 pitches. The 35-year-old notched his fourth quality start of the season and second in his last four outings, though that stretch also includes a seven-run blowup against Seattle on June 22. He'll carry a 4.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB across 85 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next week.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Bounces back with victory
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Rea (5-3) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two batters over five innings.
Rea was pounded for four homers and seven runs in his previous start, but he gave up a much more palatable one homer and two runs Saturday. While he notched just three whiffs and one punchout, the right-hander didn't issue a free pass and took advantage of ample run support to snap a streak of four straight winless starts. This was presumably Rea's final appearance in June, and the month was certainly a mixed bag for him -- he gave up two or fewer runs in three of his five outings, but in his other two starts he was tagged for a combined 11 runs over 9.2 frames.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Tagged with seven runs
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Rea (4-3) allowed seven runs on 11 hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Mariners.
Rea served up four home runs, including a pair by Dominic Canzone, in the loss. Rea did not allow a long ball through his first 18.2 innings this season but has since coughed up 13 of them in his last 10 appearances. The poor outing bumped his season ERA from 3.84 to 4.42 through 73.1 frames. Rea has produced a 6.89 ERA over his last six outings, allowing at least six runs in three of those. He's projected to start in Houston next weekend.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Allows four runs Tuesday
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Rea allowed four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings Tuesday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.
Only two of the seven hits allowed by Rea went for extra bases -- one being a two-run shot by Max Kepler in the second inning and the other a leadoff double in the fifth by Brandon Marsh. Following the leadoff knock, Rea found himself with runners on second and third with one out before being replaced by Ryan Brasier, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Tuesday was Rea's first time not making it to five innings since April 18. He's tentatively set to complete a two-start week at home against the Pirates this weekend.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Hit hard in loss
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Rea (3-2) took the loss against the Reds on Friday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Rea was burned by three homers and struggled overall, allowing 10 hard-hit balls while inducing just five whiffs on 90 pitches. The 34-year-old has now surrendered six earned runs in back-to-back starts against the Reds after allowing no more than four in any of his first eight outings. He owns a 3.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB across 52.1 innings this season and will attempt to get back on track in a road matchup against the Nationals next week.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Lacks command in first loss
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Rea (3-1) took the loss against the Reds on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over five innings.
Rea surrendered a two-run homer in the first inning and then allowed four runs across his final two frames. It was a mixed outing, as he threw 70 of 108 pitches for strikes and recorded a season-high eight punchouts while also yielding his most walks and runs in a start this season. The 34-year-old will carry a 3.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 40:14 K:BB across 46.2 innings into a rematch with the Reds at home next weekend.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Yields four earned runs in no-decision
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Rea did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's game against the Giants, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.
Rea hadn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his four starts heading into Tuesday, and he started strongly by retiring the side in the first inning. However, he proceeded to give up four runs over the next two frames before yielding a fifth run in the fourth, and his eight hits allowed were his most since Sept. 29 of last season (10 hits). Rea was able to escape with the no-decision to stay out of the loss column, and he's slated to face the Marlins at home next week.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Fans five in no-decision
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Rea didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 13-11 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up one run on five hits while striking out five batters across 4.2 innings. He did not issue a walk.
At 4.2 innings, Friday marked Rea's longest outing of the season as he continues to re-adjust to life as a starter after opening the year in the bullpen. He carried a shutout into the fifth inning but was pulled shortly after allowing an RBI single to Corbin Carroll -- well before the Diamondbacks' bats erupted for 10 runs in the eighth. With Javier Assad (oblique) nearing a return from the IL, it's unclear if Rea will get another chance to start or return to the bullpen, but his place in the rotation is due up again next Friday against the Phillies.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Fills in admirably against Dodgers
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Rea took a no-decision Sunday against the Dodgers. He struck out five over 3.2 innings while allowing a run on four hits and one walk.
After not pitching since April 7, Rea was tasked with filling in for Justin Steele (elbow) against the mighty Dodgers. Rea impressed over this 68-pitch outing, throwing 42 strikes and generating nine whiffs. The 34-year-old has pitched to a 1.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB across nine innings and should continue to hold a rotation spot as Steele is slated to miss the rest of 2025. Rea currently lines up to make his next start against Arizona at home next weekend.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Likely to start Sunday
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Saturday that Rea is "likely" to start in Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Rea served in the Brewers' rotation for the past two seasons, but after signing with the Cubs in January, he earned the spot on the 26-man roster as a long reliever. However, with Justin Steele (elbow) joining Javier Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, the Cubs are turning to Rea to make some starts to give the starting rotation the five-day break it needs. Rea appeared in 32 regular-season games (27 starts) for the Brewers in 2024, posting a 12-6 record with a 4.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 135:43 K:BB across 167.2 innings.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Appears set for No. 5 role
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With Jordan Wicks optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Rea appears locked into the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation.
Wicks was on Chicago's roster for its two-game set against the Dodgers in Tokyo, but he'll head to Triple-A once the domestic regular season gets underway later this month. That should leave Rea as the fifth starter, at least until Javier Assad (oblique) is able to return. Rea should get a boost in fantasy value as a result, though he's probably best used only in favorable matchups as he doesn't offer overpowering stuff. The veteran righty posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 27 starts for the Brewers during the 2024 regular season.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Inside track on No. 5 spot?
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With Javier Assad (oblique) set to miss the beginning of the regular season, Rea may be the next player up to fill the Cubs' final rotation spot, Cole Bradley of MLB.com reports.
Chicago figures to break camp with Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd entrenched in the rotation, and Assad had the early inside track on the No. 5 spot, but he won't be ready for Opening Day due to an oblique strain. The veteran Rea makes for a steady plug-and-play option, though youngsters Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks are also competing for the spot. The latter two players may offer a bit more upside in the long run, but Rea's MLB experience as a starter could give manager Craig Counsell some comfort to start the year. Rea offers some potential streaming appeal for however long he's in Chicago's rotation.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Could slide into rotation
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With Javier Assad (oblique) set to potentially miss some time, Rea may end up as the Cubs' fifth starter out of camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad is dealing with oblique soreness and was scheduled to undergo imaging Monday. It's unclear how long he might be out, but the MRI makes it seem like he could be on the shelf for a bit. If that ends up being the case, Rea would be a natural option to step in. The veteran righty has plenty of starting experience at the MLB level, including 27 starts for the Brewers last year. Rea turned in a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 167.2 innings in 2024.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Swing role on tap?
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Rea could pivot between the rotation and bullpen this season as a swingman for the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
This basically confirms the assumption when Rea signed with Chicago back on Jan. 10, which was that there isn't a clear spot for him in the rotation. The veteran righty has mostly served as a starter the past few seasons, however, and he made 27 starts for the Brewers last year. Rea's experience gives the Cubs some depth in case another starter stumbles or goes down with injury. For now, Javier Assad figures to slot in as the team's fifth starter, though that could change during camp. If Rea doesn't snag a rotation spot right away, he figures to pitch in long relief or make some spot starts.
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Cubs' Colin Rea: Agrees to deal with North Siders
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The Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million contract with Rea on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
The deal also includes a club option for 2026. The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 back in November, but between his $1 million buyout and new deal with the Cubs, he'll wind up with a little more than had the option been picked up. Rea posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 32 regular-season appearances (27 starts), but he had a 3.70 ERA through the end of August before a rough September. The Cubs already have at least five starters that are probably better than Rea, so he might pitch in long relief initially.
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Colin Rea: Club option declined for 2025
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The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Rea passed through waivers unclaimed, and now the Brewers will pay him a $1 million buyout as he heads into free agency. The right-hander held a 3.70 ERA heading into September this season, but he posted an 8.31 ERA that month and didn't appear for Milwaukee during the postseason. Rea shouldn't have trouble landing a rotation job somewhere this winter.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Placed on waivers
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The Brewers placed Rea on waivers Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Rea has a $5.5 million club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. It appears the Brewers are willing to move on from the 34-year-old righty, but they will first make him available to the other 29 clubs via waivers before paying the $1 million that would send him to free agency. Rea finished the 2024 season with a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but he surrendered 20 earned runs over 21.2 frames during his six starts in September.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Starting on Friday
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Rea will start Friday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Rea's last appearance came in relief Monday, and since the Brewers previously hadn't committed to a starter for Friday, the right-hander looked like he could end up sticking in the bullpen for the rest of the season. Milwaukee will ultimately turn to Rea to fill the fifth spot in the rotation on three days' rest, though he's still likely on the outside looking in for a starting role during the postseason. Rea holds a 6.82 ERA over his last seven appearances (six starts).
