Colin Rea: Everything you need to know

Rea (2-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts across six innings. Riley Martin served as the opener for the Cubs in this one, firing a hitless and scoreless first inning on six pitches before Rea took over on the mound in the bottom of the second. Rea doesn't have overpowering stuff but was able to keep the Philly offense off-balance with his seven-pitch mix across 87 total pitches. Once Matthew Boyd (biceps) returns, perhaps as early as next Monday, Rea projects to remain in the rotation for the Cubs over Javier Assad after Assad was blasted for nine runs on 11 hits over 4.1 innings in Monday's loss to the Phillies. Rea has a 3.63 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 17.1 innings and is in line to start Sunday at home against the Mets.

Rea is no longer scheduled to start Tuesday's game in Philadelphia but appears likely to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Riley Martin. Chicago had initially listed Rea as its starter for Tuesday, but the Cubs will instead have the lefty Martin take the hill to begin the game since the Phillies typically have two left-handed hitters (Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper) within the top three spots of the lineup. Martin is unlikely to work more than an inning or two before giving way to Rea, who is coming off a strong start at Tampa Bay last Wednesday in which he held the Rays to one run on two hits and two walks in five innings. Though Matthew Boyd (biceps) appears to be tracking toward a return from the injured list early next week, the Cubs should still have one more opening in the rotation for either Rea or Javier Assad. Rea is the presumptive frontrunner for that spot after Assad was blasted for nine earned runs over 4.1 innings in the Cubs' 13-7 loss in Monday's series opener.

Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out two over five innings to earn the win over the Rays on Wednesday. Rea had worked in long relief for his first two outings of the season, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. The right-hander has started at least 22 games in three straight seasons, so it shouldn't take him long to adjust, though it's unclear if he'll be the Cubs' long-term solution at the back of the rotation. He threw 51 of 79 pitches for strikes in this outing. Rea doesn't have great strikeout rates in his career, though he has a 10:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings so far this season. Assuming he remains in the rotation for another turn, he's tentatively lined up for a tough road start versus the Phillies.