21 Tyler Chatwood SP

Chatwood (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Cubs fell 3-1 to the Pirates, giving up three runs on two hits and three walks over two innings without striking out a batter.

Making his first start since July, Chatwood once again couldn't find the plate with any consistency, the same issue that cost him his rotation spot in the first place. Expect him to move back into a long-relief role once Mike Montgomery (shoulder) is ready to return to action, if not sooner.

Chatwood will return to the rotation for a spot start Saturday in Pittsburgh, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Chatwood pitched himself out of the rotation in late July after walking 85 batters in 94 innings. he hasn't looked any better in three relief outings, walking five in 5.2 innings and posting a 6.35 ERA. He'll be called on to fill in for Mike Montgomery, who hit the disabled list with shoulder inflammation Friday.

Chatwood will head to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired Cole Hamels from the Rangers on Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Chatwood has struggled through 19 starts this season, accruing a 4.98 ERA and 1.78 WHIP with an 82:85 K:BB over 94 innings. The Cubs will hope to get him back on track by using him out of the bullpen, as he's had control issues all year. Chatwood issued six walks in each of his previous two starts.

Chatwood (4-5) picked up the no-decision in a shaky effort Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He surrendered four earned runs over 4.2 innings while issuing six walks against just four strikeouts.

The command issues continue to sap Chatwood's effectiveness, and his walk rate is now up to 8.14 free passes per nine innings pitched. Combine that with a meager strikeout rate and Chatwood has become a liability in the Cubs rotation. The club has since acquired Cole Hamels, which gives the team upwards of six viable starters including Chatwood. Chatwood's next scheduled turn in the rotation is tentatively set for Thursday, but owners should wait to see how the Cubs' new rotation order shakes out with the new addition.

Chatwood (4-5) walked six batters and struck out just two in 5.1 innings Saturday against the Cardinals, but earned the win after allowing just one run on one hit.

Just 40 of Chatwood's 85 pitches were strikes, but the Cardinals were unable to capitalize on his frequent walks, scoring just once on a Matt Carpenter solo homer. Chatwood's 4.84 ERA is certainly not particularly good, but it's amazing that it's even that low, as he's walked more batters (79) than he's struck out (78). His next adventure will come Friday in St. Louis.