Tim Collins Allows No Runs in Cubs Debut

Lefty RP Tim Collins was added to the Cubs’ active roster on April 10th following SP Jon Lester’s placement on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring sustained during the home opener versus the Pirates. Collins was a non-roster invitee to the Minnesota Twins’ spring training camp and was signed to a minor-league deal by the Cubs in a depth move after being released by Minnesota. He made his debut for the Northsiders the same day he was added to the active roster, pitching a scoreless top of the 9th inning, allowing 1 hit and giving up a base on balls in the Cubs’ 5-2 loss to the Bucs.

Collins made his debut with the Kansas City Royals on March 31, 2011, pitching in 3 full seasons and part of a 4th through 2014. Following the 2014 season, Collins needed to undergo two Tommy John surgeries for elbow damage. He was able to regain mid-90s velocity and returned to MLB action with the Washington Nationals in 2018, with 22.2 IP over 38 games.

This new face could bring a lot of upside to the Cubs if he is able to stay healthy, as he has a career ERA of 3.62 (ERA+ 115) and an SO9 of 9.3. Command has been an issue, as he has a 5.1 BB9, similar to demoted RP Carl Edwards Jr. (5.2).

The southpaw is listed at a height of 5’7″, one inch taller than the Houston Astros’ one-time American League MVP second baseman José Altuve, which did not go unnoticed by fans on Twitter.

Times are so tough for the Cubs that a literal child is pitching. pic.twitter.com/eFx0polbSI

â?? Robert O’Neill (@RobertONeill31) April 11, 2019

The Cubs will close out their series against the Pirates with a rubber match tonight at 8:05 PM. Matchup: Musgrove (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Quintana (0-1, 10.29 ERA). Support the site by buying your tickets from SeatGeek!

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