It was really only a matter of time before the Chicago Cubs would move Tyler Chatwood out of the starting rotation and that day has arrived.
Chatwood, who is averaging less than five innings per start and has walked 85 batters in 94 innings through 19 starts, has been moved to the bullpen after the recent acquisition of Cole Hamels.
So, Mike Montgomery stays in and Chatwood is out.
Mike Montgomery is slated to start on Thursday so Tyler Chatwood will be in the pen.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 28, 2018
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After the news broke Chatwood spoke to reporters and although he’s obviously pissed about his performance this season, he views this move as a positive to hopefully return to not being awful anymore.
I mean, there’s no way that Chatwood thinks he still deserves to be in the rotation, but at least he has a good mindset about the decision.
#Cubs Chatwood: "obviously you never want that but there's stuff I need to work on "
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 28, 2018
#Cubs Chatwood: "I'm not going to lie, I've been grinding all year and it hasn't been fun grinding that hard. Luckily we've been winning games I've started and that eases it a little. I'm excited to get back to what I know I can be"
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 28, 2018
Chatwood actually seemed somewhat relieved to go to the pen. Said it’s hard to change your mechanics when you’re starting every 5th day for a first place team.
— Ryan Davis (@RyanQDavis) July 28, 2018
So, hey all the luck in the world to Chatwood’s quest to find whatever the cure is for his yips because that’s kinda what’s happened to him this year.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t get Rick Ankiel bad.
When Rick Ankiel famously got the "yips" in 2001 and had to stop pitching, his walk rate was 20.2%.
Tyler Chatwood's current walk rate is 19.4%.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 27, 2018
As I’ve said before, there’s no way Chatwood pitches in another meaningful situation for the Cubs this season. He’ll strictly be in during mop-up duty and I guess we’ll see if anything has changed.
Anyway, hopefully the next time Chatwood starts for the Cubs is next spring training.
