Colin Rea half-signed, half-chuckled when asked about the gravity of the moment Saturday. The right-hander had just started in a major league game for the first time in four years, after being derailed by injury.
"I think it's always special," Rea said, "and I don't take it for granted for one second."
But mid-season wasn't the time to reflect on his journey.
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Rea's spot start in the Cubs' 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers on Saturday came during the biggest test of the Cubs' starting pitching depth so far. The day before, Tyler Chatwood (mid-back tightness) was scratched from the lineup, moving up Alec Mill's start up a day. Chatwood is now scheduled to pitch Monday.
But this week, the Cubs may have to dip into their South Bend alternate site for starting pitching with two double headers coming up. That made Rea's ability to slide into a swingman role all the more important.
"You need those extra starters," Cubs manager David ross said. "You need to lengthen your bullpen. That's why Major League Baseball I think kept the roster expanded. They know you're going to need some extra pitching in this unique season."
Rea's comeback story begins with a tumultuous 2016. In July, the Padres traded him to the Marlins as part of a seven-player deal. He made his Marlins debut a few days later and tore a ligament in his right elbow. The Marlins sent Rea back to San Diego in exchange for Luis Castillo, reversing part of the original trade.
Rea put off Tommy John surgery at first, opting for less invasive therapies. But when the discomfort in his elbow persisted, he decided to go through with the operation.
After missing all of 2017 to rehabilitate from the surgery, Rea made is baseball return in the minor leagues.
The Padres released him after the 2018 season. Rea signed with the Cubs as a free agent, and his 2019 performance with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs earned him PCL Pitcher of the year.
"This guy has worked his tail off and continued to get better," Ross said, "had confidence in himself, never wavered. I've seen the same guy since Spring Training, as far as the mentality and the attitude and the work ethic, all those things he brings every day."
This year, the Cubs recalled Rea from South Bend a week into the season. Then, on Aug. 5 Rea made his first major league appearance since the injury. In three innings of relief this season, he hasn't allowed a run.
"Obviously I like starting," Rea said. "It's what I've done in the past, but as little experience as I've had in the bullpen, it's kind of been nice at the same time. For me, it's wherever they want and wherever they think is going to be beneficial for me and the team."
On Saturday, Rea started his outing with three shutout innings and retired 10 of the first 11 hitters he faced.
But in the fourth inning, he allowed three consecutive base hits, to the heart of the Brewers' batting order: Christian Yelich, Avisail Garcia and Justin Smoak.
Smoak's double, which soared through the gap in left center field and bounced to the wall, drove in two runs. Rea left the game with Smoak still on base, but later in the inning Smoak would score on a single to left field by Luis Urias and tie the game.
"I thought we did a good job early attacking the strike zone, especially with the fastball," Rea said. "… But then the second time through the order, I felt like I used a little too much plate, especially with that last pitch. You hate to look back – Smoak's a good hitter – but I think almost expanding the plate the second time through the order I think would have helped conserve a little bit."
Rea's final line – 3 1/3 innings, four hits, three runs, no walks – hid his early dominance. The Cubs wanted to keep Rea's pitch count around 55 pitches. As a reliever he hasn't ramped up his workload as high as the regular starters. He threw 49 on Saturday.
"Maybe when I'm done this year or done playing, I'll look back at it," Rea said. "For me it's just another opportunity for me and I just kind of take it one step, one day at a time."
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Colin Rea makes first major league start since 2016 in Cubs' loss to Brewers originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
