The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent right-hander Alec Mills to a minor-league deal on Thursday, according to MLB's transaction's log. Mills made 39 career starts with the Chicago Cubs and was a part of their starting rotation for a few years in 2020 and 2021, when he made a combined 43 appearances (31 starts) and went 11-12 with a 4.86 ERA (4.82 FIP), 1.34 WHIP, 53 walks and 133 strikeouts in 181 1/3 innings pitched. He made just two starts in 2022 with Chicago and allowed 20 runs (19 earned) on 28 hits while walking three and striking out 11 in only 17 2/3 frames. The Reds desperately need pitching depth given all the injuries to their starters lately, though, so Mills will first have a chance to prove himself in the minors. It's unlikely he'll end up making a fantasy impact in 2023.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Alec Mills (back) underwent a successful lower-back discectomy on Wednesday, according to the team. Mills has been out of action since early July and was moved to the 60-day injured late last month, so he obviously won't pitch again in 2022. The 30-year-old only appeared in seven games (two starts) for the Cubbies in 2022 before his injury this summer. In those seven appearances, he allowed 19 earned runs on 28 hits (seven home runs given up) while walking three and striking out 11 in 17 2/3 innings pitched.

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Alec Mills (back) on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a low back strain. Mills was removed from his start against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday after facing just two batters. He was experiencing back pain during the start and he said that the pain was reminiscent to the back strain he suffered in spring training. The 30-year-old has been limited to just seven appearances (two starts) this year due to injuries. He has an ugly 9.68 ERA and 1.75 WHIP on the year. The Cubs called up right-handed pitcher Michael Rucker to fill Mills' roster spot.

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Alec Mills (back, quad) is set to pitch three innings in a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday. The 30-year-old has been out all season. He began the year on the injured list due to a lower back strain, then went on to suffer a quad injury while rehabbing the back injury. On Sunday, he made his first rehab outing in about a month, pitching 2 1/3 innings at Triple-A and allowing two hits, one walk and one earned run while striking out two. Assuming he has no further setbacks, we could be looking at a return to the majors in early-to-mid June for Mills. There's a chance he'll join the team's rotation upon his return, but he could also work in long relief.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. He has been sidelined all of April due to a lower back strain. Mills has been able to throw without any issues. The hope is that Mills is only going to need one rehab appearance before rejoining the Cubs rotation. There could be some deep league appeal or NL-only value for Mills, but he's unlikely to carry much fantasy value.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Alec Mills (back) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice on Tuesday in Arizona. Mills' April 16 mound workout "went well," according to manager David Ross. He could go on a minor league rehab assignment in the near future. In the meantime, righty Mark Leiter Jr. should get another look in the starting rotation. Mills previously threw 70-plus pitches in a simulated game on April 10. The 30-year-old started the regular season on the 10-day injured list, but he is in the team's plans as an option for the rotation or bullpen this year. Ross said the Cubs are using "a lot of precaution" with Mills, who had a 5.07 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 119 innings over 32 outings (20 starts) for the Cubs in 2021.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills (back) won't be activated in time to start Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. He has been dealing with a lower back strain, but was able to throw a 77-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. However, the Cubs are going to take things slow and make sure Mills is 100 percent before having him return. The Cubs haven't announced a replacement starter for Mills. Possibly, the Cubs will go bullpen game, so the Rockies hitters could be in for a good day on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Alec Mills (back) was slated to throw a simulated game in Arizona on Sunday. He was originally scheduled to start in a Cactus League game on April 5, but Mills dealt with some back tightness earlier in the day, which led the Cubs to place him on the injured list to begin the regular season. Mills is in an option for the starting rotation or the bullpen this year, but Ross said the team is using "a lot of precaution" with the long season ahead. The 30-year-old had a 5.07 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 87 strikeouts and 34 walks in 119 innings over 32 appearances (20 starts) for the Cubs last year in his fourth season with the team.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills recorded a no-decision on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Mills went 4 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, four runs, two walks and struck out four on the evening. The veteran continues to put up mediocre numbers for the Cubs and is 6-6 with a 4.50 ERA for the year. Next up for Mills will be a date versus the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Mills can remain on the waiver wire in all formats.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills went 5 2/3 innings in Friday's no-decision versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mills cruised through the first four innings, but got hit hard in the fifth and sixth innings. Mills would end up allowing seven hits, five runs (two earned), zero walks and struck out six. Mills opened the year out of the bullpen, but has now made 15 starts in 27 appearances. For the season, Mills is 6-6 with a 4.25 ERA. Next up for the right-hander will be a date versus the San Francisco Giants. Mills can be avoided in that matchup and his best value is as a streamer moving forward.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills improved to 6-6 with Saturday's victory versus the Chicago White Sox. Mills went 8 1/3 innings and allowed four hits, zero runs, two walks and struck out three on the evening. Saturday's performance was his best start of the season and he gave the Cubs bullpen a much needed rest. With his impressive outing, Mills lowered his ERA to 4.32. Despite the nice outing, Mills hasn't done much to warrant the attention of fantasy managers. Next up for Mills will be a favorable matchup versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills got rocked against the Kansas City Royals in Sunday's loss. Mills went four innings and allowed 11 hits, seven runs (six earned), zero walks and struck out five on the afternoon. The right-hander has become a permanent member of the Cubs rotation with the recent subtractions of Trevor Williams and Jake Arrieta, but he hasn't offered much value to fantasy managers. Mills is now 5-6 with a 4.65 ERA and can be avoided in a tough matchup versus the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills fell one out short of a quality start on Sunday versus the Miami Marlins. Mills went 5 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, two runs, one walk and struck out four on the afternoon, but suffered a tough loss with the Cubs offense only scoring one run. Mills has been pitching well for the Cubs and has earned a permanent spot in the rotation moving forward with the recent departures of Trevor Williams and Jake Arrieta. Mills is now 5-5 with a 4.19 ERA. Mills will look for better results in his next start against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills went 2 1/3 innings in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Mills had his start cut short with a long rain delay and finished with one hit, zero runs, zero walks and struck out three on the evening. Mills has been pitching well for the Cubs and has a 3.38 ERA over his last seven starts with 27 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. Mills is worth a look in deeper mixed leagues and will face Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills earned a quality start in Wednesday's victory versus the Colorado Rockies. Mills tossed six frames and allowed eight hits, two runs, two walks and struck out three on the evening. With the Cubs dealing starting pitcher Trevor Williams at the trade deadline, Mills should remain in the rotation for now. Mills is now 5-4 on the season with a 4.41 ERA and will face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Mills has most of his value as a streamer in favorable matchups at the moment.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills picked up his fourth loss of the season on Thursday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Mills went six innings and allowed nine hits, four runs (three earned), zero walks and failed to record a strikeout. Mills opened the season as a relief pitcher, but has been starting with the Cubs having injuries in their rotation, most notably, Jake Arrieta (hamstring) at the moment. The Cubs are selling off many of their pieces and it's worth wondering if they will move Mills back to the bullpen with young pitchers Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson both being stretched out in Triple-A at the moment. Mills is now 4-4 with a 4.55 ERA and is scheduled to face the Colorado Rockies in a favorable matchup on Thursday. Mills would be worth a look as a streamer in that contest, but can be left on waiver wire in all leagues.