Cubs Promote Tim Collins and Send Down Alec Mills in Latest Roster Shuffle

One day after he started capably in what eventually turned into a tough loss, Alec Mills is headed back to the minors to make room for a fresh arm.

Tim Collins, the diminutive reliever who once shone on the Royals, will be making his way to San Francisco to suit up in Cubbie blue.

Collins' initial stint in the bigs this season came when Jon Lester hit the IL in early April, and he's thrown capably in limited duty, posting a 3.52 ERA in 7.2 innings pitched.

Though Collins battled several injuries in a four-year gap away from major league baseball from 2014-2018, his return with the Nationals last season was solid if unspectacular, and he's continued that recovery at the minor league level this season by scuffling with his control (16 walks in 27 innings) while whiffing a beyond-acceptable number of batters (37).

However, it would probably behoove the Cubs to grab a lefty who's a bit more prepared by the time the postseason rolls around.

Perhaps even one who's already in the building in San Francisco?