Cubs' Colin Rea continuing to evolve after stints in Japan, Milwaukee

Starting pitcher Colin Rea #20 of the Chicago Cubs delivers the baseball in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on August 15, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.Quinn Harris/Getty

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MESA, Ariz. – When Craig Counsell thinks about his time managing veteran right-hander Colin Rea, a moment stands out that has nothing to do with his successful return to the majors after spending 2022 in Japan.

It came at the end of the 2021 season, when the Brewers had already clinched the division title and were lining up pitching for the playoffs. They just needed someone to cover innings in the final game of the season. So, they called up Rea, who they’d signed to a minor-league…