PHILADELPHIA – After reliever Nate Pearson opened the game on the mound, right-hander Caleb Kilian made his season debut Monday in the Cubs’ 6-2 loss to the Phillies.
“Not exactly how I wanted it to go,” Kilian said after allowing five earned runs in 5 ⅔ innings. “Kind of hurting myself there, getting behind, walking people. But towards the end, I settled in a little bit better, started using my new slider a little bit more, and I thought that seeing how that played up here was pretty encouraging.”
The Cubs had already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the game clinched the National League East title for the Phillies. It was their first division title since 2011.
Kilian strained his shoulder in spring training and was in the IL through the end of July. After being activated and optioned, he posted a 2.45 ERA in Triple-A. He worked on developing his new slider and continuing to throw strikes and get ahead in the count.
He carried progress from the former into the game Monday but not the latter, as he issued four walks. Kilian also gave up homers to JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber.
Roster moves
The Cubs recalled Kilian before the game and put reliever Jorge López on the 15-day IL with a strained groin, ending his season. It was the same injury that landed him on the IL for a minimum stint earlier this month.
“He was up in the bullpen [Sunday] night, and just, essentially, just not getting past it,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And it’s getting a little worse again.”
The Cubs also optioned reliever Trey Wingenter and recalled Gavin Hollowell, who they claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks last month. Hollowell threw 1 ⅓ scoreless innings Monday, garnering unsolicited praise from Counsell after the game.
Adding to their bullpen depth, the Cubs claimed right-hander Enoli Paredes off waivers from the Brewers.
Happ update
Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, who was scratched from the lineup Sunday with lower back tightness, was sidelined again Monday.
“It’s still just day to day,” Counsell said. “Nothing that we’re super concerned about.”
Shortstop Dansby Swanson was also out of the lineup Monday, but for a scheduled day off, according to Counsell.