30 Alec Mills RP

It's unclear if Kyle Hendricks (illness) will be ready for his next turn through the rotation Sunday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports, which could give Mills another start.

Mills filled in for Hendricks on Tuesday and pitched pretty well, allowing just two runs on two hits across four innings in a game the Cubs went on to win. If Mills does get at least one more start Sunday against Atlanta, he might be able to work a bit deeper into the game after stretching out a bit Tuesday with 41 pitches. Adbert Alzolay, who was optioned to the team's alternate training site Wednesday, is also an option to rejoin the rotation if Hendricks is forced to miss more time.

Mills allowed two runs on two hits across four innings and did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Brewers.

Mills got the spot start when Kyle Hendricks (illness) was scratched, and the former performed admirably, with a two-run home run by Luis Urias the only blemish during his four innings of work. This is what Mills can give the Cubs, as he made 11 starts a season ago, and he could conceivably force his way into the rotation at the expense of Adbert Alzolay at some point. For now, Mills' fantasy value is capped by his bullpen role, though he may vulture a few wins or saves as a long reliever.

Mills will start Tuesday's game against the Brewers.

Kyle Hendricks was poised to start Tuesday's contest but was a late scratch since he's not feeling well. Mills has four appearances out of the bullpen this season and covered 2.1 innings during his last appearance Saturday, so he's unlikely to work deep into the contest.

Mills pitched a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to record the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Brewers.

Regular closer Craig Kimbrel pitched on Saturday and Sunday, so the Cubs gave him the night off and turned to Mills, who recorded just his second career save and first since 2019. The righty made 11 starts for Chicago last year and even recorded a no-hitter in September, but he'll work out of the bullpen at least to start 2021, though he certainly could find himself back in the rotation at some point.

Mills will begin the 2021 season in the bullpen, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Manager David Ross announced Saturday that Adbert Alzolay will break camp as the Cubs' fifth starter, so Mills will come out of the bullpen to begin the year. Mills appeared to be in line to serve as the No. 5 starter and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 11.2 innings this spring. The right-hander could still receive some spot starts for the Cubs or step into the rotation if Alzolay or Trevor Williams struggles.

Mills is expected to begin the season as the Cubs' No. 5 pitcher, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Kyle Hendricks will start Opening Day, and he's expected to be followed by Jake Arrieta, Zach Davies and Trevor Williams. While Mills is expected to slot in fifth, the Cubs could get creative and use him, Adbert Alzolay and potentially Shelby Miller in hybrid roles to manage the workloads of everyone on the staff. Until the back of Chicago's rotation gets sorted out, Mills might not be the most reliable fantasy option.

Mills allowed three runs on six hits and three walks across three innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He struck out one.

Mills is probably lucky he only allowed the three runs considering how many White Sox batters reached base. The righty should be able to secure a rotation spot out of spring training, but he's not a lock to start all season with Trevor Williams and Adbert Alzolay also in the mix for roles in the back of the rotation behind Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies.

Mills allowed one run across 2.1 innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants. He gave up three hits and a walk, while striking out one.

Mills got in a little bit of trouble but still managed a solid outing, and the righty now has a 2.08 ERA across 4.1 innings this spring. He should be able to lock down a rotation spot once the regular season begins, though his lack of strikeouts probably makes him more of a streaming option for fantasy managers.

Mills pitched two scoreless innings in Friday's Cactus League game against Cleveland. He walked one and struck out one.

Mills was effective in his Cactus League debut and should be fairly well locked into a rotation spot, potentially fourth behind Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies. Mills turned in a 4.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 11 starts last season, with 46 strikeouts in 62.1 innings.

Mills could work in either a bullpen or starting role this season, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Mills made 11 starts last season and even threw a no-hitter, but manager David Ross said the righty isn't a lock for the rotation in 2021. "He'll pitch big innings for us, in maybe a bullpen role, maybe a starter role," Ross said. "Who knows?" Chicago's rotation will look a lot different this year with Yu Darvish, Jon Lester and Jose Quintana all gone, and Jake Arrieta, Zach Davies and Trevor Williams now in town. That leaves a lot of uncertainty behind ace Kyle Hendricks, but Mills likely pitched well enough in 2020 (4.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP) to earn a rotation spot out of spring training.

Mills (5-5) allowed four runs on eight hits across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out two.

Mills was hit hard in his last scheduled regular-season start and served up three home runs in a game for the second time this year. The righty turned in a no-hitter Sept. 13 and had a 3.93 ERA at that point, but since then, he's allowed eight runs in 9.2 innings to raise his ERA to 4.48. Mills is an option to start during the Cubs' upcoming first-round playoff series, though it seems like the team will roll with Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish and then Jon Lester if needed.

Mills (5-4) allowed four runs on six hits across six innings to take the loss Saturday against the Twins. He walked one and struck out seven.

Mills had tossed 15 scoreless innings in his last two starts, including a no-hitter in his most recent outing Sunday, but Minnesota got to him quickly with an Eddie Rosario solo home run in the first inning. The righty was mostly solid from there, though he allowed an RBI single to Rosario in the sixth and then got chased in the seventh when he gave up a home run and a double to start the frame. Mills saw his ERA creep up to 4.14, and he'll look to return to his dominant form in a softer matchup against Pittsburgh in his next scheduled start Thursday.

Mills (5-3) allowed three walks and no hits while striking out five across nine scoreless innings to earn the win in Sunday's 12-0 victory over the Brewers.

Mills needed 114 pitches to record 27 outs in the no-hitter. He wasn't overpowering but managed to consistently get ahead of hitters and worked efficiently. After a bit of a tough stretch in the middle of the season, Mills has now thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings in the span of two starts. With this performance, he maintains a 3.93 ERA across 52.2 innings for the season. He'll look to keep his strong form going in his next outing, which will likely come next weekend against the Twins.

Mills (4-3) allowed four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings in a win over the Reds on Tuesday. He struck out six.

The Reds knocked Mills around for three homers in as many innings Aug. 29, but the righty got his revenge Tuesday to move back above .500 for the season. Mills is a finesse pitcher, averaging just 90 mph with his fastball, with limited swing-and-miss to his game. He's putting himself on the map as a streaming option, although he should still be viewed as one with a fair amount of downside against tougher offenses. Mills draws the Brewers on the road this weekend.

Mills (3-3) allowed four runs on seven hits across five innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out two.

Mills has been trending in the wrong direction lately after a strong start to the season. Over his past five starts, the righty has allowed 21 earned runs in 24.2 innings, and his ERA has climbed to 5.50. However, with Jose Quintana (lat) and Tyler Chatwood (forearm) both recently landing on the 10-day injured list, Mills should be able to stick in the rotation in the short term. He lines up to take the hill again Tuesday against the Reds.

Mills will start Thursday's game on the road against the Pirates, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Mills' scheduled start was moved up one day, but he'll still be starting on normal rest since the Cubs had a day off Monday. The right-hander has been roughed up in his past four starts as he's posted a 7.78 ERA and 17:5 K:BB over 19.2 innings during that time.

Mills pitched three innings against the Reds in Game 2 of a doubleheader Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two. He did not factor in the decision.

Mills pitched well in his previous outing but couldn't carry over the momentum into Saturday. He lasted a season-low three innings as Cincinnati went deep for three of its four hits against him. The long ball hasn't been particularly problematic for Mills this season -- Saturday's appearance was the first time a club has slugged more than one homer against him -- and he entered the game with a better-than-average 1.03 HR/9 mark for his career. Mills will try to get back to keeping the ball in the park when he faces St. Louis on Friday.

Mills (3-2) earned the win Monday by allowing three earned runs over seven innings against the Tigers. He gave up seven hits and a walk, while striking out seven.

Mills struggled in his last two starts, giving up 10 earned runs in just 9.2 innings, but he righted the ship against a subpar Detroit lineup. Jose Quintana (thumb) is slated to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, but the team has said he'll head to the bullpen initially. That should keep Mills in the rotation for now, and he's penciled in to pitch one half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds. However, Quintana figures to work his way back into the rotation soon enough, which would push Mills into a long relief role.

Mills (2-2) took the loss in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He allowed six earned runs on seven hits and two walks across 3.2 innings, while striking out just one.

St. Louis jumped on Mills right away, with Matt Carpenter hitting a first inning grand slam before any outs were recorded. Mills has now lost his last two starts, and he's allowed 10 earned runs across 9.2 innings in that time. He started the season much stronger, allowing just two earned runs in his first 13 innings while going 2-0. Mills is slated to start again Monday against Detroit, but he could be squeezed from the rotation when Jose Quintana (thumb) and Tyler Chatwood (back) are both healthy.

Mills will start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old will draw a tough matchup, as ace Jack Flaherty will be taking the hill for the Cardinals. Mills has been effective through his first three starts of the season with a 2.84 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB over 19 innings.