Colin Rea

Fantasy News

• Cubs' Colin Rea: Appears set for No. 5 role

  Rotowire Mar 22, 2025

  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?

  Rotowire Mar 2, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Feb 10, 2025

  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?

  Rotowire Feb 6, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Jan 10, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Nov 4, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Nov 2, 2024

  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: Shelled in losing effort

  Rotowire Sep 29, 2024

  Rea (12-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on 10 hits, three walks and a hit batsman over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five. Rea worked past four innings for the first time since Aug 24, but he allowed a season-high 14 batters to reach base. With the Brewers set to host the Wild Card Round of the playoffs starting Tuesday and Rea likely on the outside looking in when it comes to their playoff rotation, he was asked to eat some innings, with the quality being less important than the quantity. The veteran righty finished the regular season with career-high marks in innings pitched (167.2), strikeouts (135) and wins (12).

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Starting on Friday

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2024

  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).

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Could be shifted to bullpen

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2024

  Rea is not listed among the Brewers' probable starters for their upcoming series versus the Diamondbacks and could be shifted to a relief role ahead of the postseason, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. Rea's last start came Sept. 11, when he was blasted for 10 runs over four innings in a loss to the Giants. He then threw 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to pick up a save in Monday's win over the Phillies. The Brewers don't currently have a starter listed for Friday, and it's possible Rea will wind up taking the ball that day on three days' rest. Even if he gets another start or two down the stretch, Rea looks on track to fill a relief role during the postseason. He's posted a 6.82 ERA over his last seven appearances (six starts).

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Lit up for 10 runs

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2024

  Rea (12-5) was tagged with the loss against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out one. Rea had a night to forget Wednesday, allowing four runs in each of the first two innings before ultimately being charged with a season-high 10 runs in the contest. The right-hander also surrendered a season-high 11 hits and has now failed to make it through five innings in back-to-back starts. Furthermore, Rea has coughed up multiple homers in three of his last four outings, while Wednesday marked only his second start this season in which he's failed to record more than one strikeout.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Tosses another four-inning outing

  Rotowire Sep 5, 2024

  Rea allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Wednesday. Rea fell behind early, giving up a pair of runs -- each on bases-loaded walks -- in the first inning. The right-hander calmed down considerably from there, as he didn't allow any additional free passes or runs over his remaining three frames. However, it was another short start for Rea, who also lasted just four innings in his previous appearance, which came against Cincinnati on Aug. 30. Prior to the pair of truncated outings, Rea had gone at least six frames in four consecutive starts.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Hangs on for 12th win

  Rotowire Aug 24, 2024

  Rea (12-4) picked up the win Saturday, giving up four runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings in a 9-5 victory over the A's. He struck out five without walking a batter. The Brewers took a 5-1 lead into the sixth inning, but Rea nearly coughed it up before finally exiting the mound after 102 pitches (76 strikes) with the tying run on second base. Milwaukee's bullpen bailed out the right-hander, and the offense added some insurance runs late. Rea's 12 wins are double his previous career high, and he has issued zero free passes in three straight starts while striking out 14 in 19.2 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road next weekend in Cincinnati.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Fires seven shutout frames

  Rotowire Aug 18, 2024

  Rea (11-4) allowed two hits over seven-plus scoreless innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over Cleveland. Rea hit Jhonkensy Noel twice on top of yielding a pair of hits but allowed only one Guardian to reach scoring position. Rea worked through 5.2 innings of no-hit ball before giving up two straight singles in the sixth. He's given up two or fewer runs in six of his eight outings since the start of July but has coughed up a combined 14 runs in the other two. During that span, Rea owns a 3.38 ERA, lowering his season mark to 3.52 through 135.1 frames. His next start is projected to be in Oakland.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Rocked by Dodgers

  Rotowire Aug 13, 2024

  Rea (10-4) allowed seven runs on 10 hits and struck out four without walking a batter over six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers. Rea was no match for a strong offense, as the Dodgers tagged him for four home runs, which accounted for six of the seven runs he gave up. The silver lining was the zero walks, something he hadn't done since July 3. The right-hander is now at a 3.72 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 103:36 K:BB over 128.1 innings across 23 appearances (20 starts) this season. Rea's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Blanks Atlanta for win No. 10

  Rotowire Aug 7, 2024

  Rea (10-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing five hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 rout of Atlanta. He struck out nine. The nine Ks were a season high for Rea, who let only two runners into scoring position all night on a pair of Matt Olson doubles. The right-hander has already won a career-high 10 games this year, but his 3.38 ERA is nearly a full run better than his 4.25 FIP and 4.31 xFIP, so his ability to keep up that pace down the stretch remains in question. Rea lines up to make his next start at home this weekend against the Reds.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Throws five shutout innings

  Rotowire Jul 24, 2024

  Rea allowed four hits and two walks while striking out eight over five shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Tuesday. Rea returned to a starting role after pitching behind an opener in his last outing before the All-Star break. The right-hander was generally good Tuesday, though he needed 93 pitches (58 strikes) to complete his five frames in a pitching duel against Jameson Taillon. Rea has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his four outings in July, though he also gave up seven runs July 9 versus the Pirates. For the year, he has a 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 84:33 K:BB over 110 innings through 20 appearances (17 starts). His next outing is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Earns win in bulk-relief role

  Rotowire Jul 14, 2024

  Rea (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Nationals. Rea was lit up for seven runs over five innings in his last start, so the Brewers opted to have him work behind an opener Sunday. The plan was a success, as he turned in a strong performance, with the seven strikeouts being one shy of his season high. The 34-year-old has put up decent numbers this year with a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 76:31 K:BB over 105 innings across 19 appearances (16 starts). Rea should remain in the Brewers' rotation following the All-Star break, though it's unclear if he'll resume working as a traditional starter or end up pitching behind an opener more often in the second half.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Yields seven runs in loss

  Rotowire Jul 10, 2024

  Rea (8-3) allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Pirates. Rea had his best start of the year last Wednesday at Colorado, turning in seven shutout innings, but he followed it up with a season-high seven runs against this time. The right-hander's lack of consistency is a little concerning, though this was just the second time in his last eight appearances that he's given up more than three runs. For the season, Rea is sporting a 3.81 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 69:30 K:BB through 99.1 innings over 18 appearances (16 starts). He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Nationals in his next outing.

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• Brewers' Colin Rea: Fans eight in win

  Rotowire Jun 28, 2024

  Rea (7-2) yielded two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Cubs. Rea looked strong aside from a speed bump in the fourth inning. He gave up a solo shot to Seiya Suzuki before Dansby Swanson drove in another run. Rea set new season highs with eight strikeouts and 15 whiffs, including six via the sinker. He hasn't lost a start since May 19; in seven outings since then, he's 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA. Rea is now sporting a 3.61 ERA and 62:28 K:BB through 87.1 innings. His next start is projected to be in Colorado.

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