The Cubs are facing the Brewers again in spring training action, this time in the evening with their ace going up against former organization-mate Colin Rea. Perhaps best known as part of the infamous scuttled trade between the Padres and Marlins in 2016 that saw San Diego accused of keeping fake medical files on players, Rea injured his elbow and didn’t appear again in the bigs for nearly four years.
After signing a minor-league deal with the Cubs and winning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2019, the righty tossed 14 innings over nine appearances during the COVID season.