John Lackey is now a relief pitcher.
After saying all year Lackey would not move to the bullpen at any point, the Cubs warmed him up and brought him in the fourth inning of the final regular season game of 2017 Sunday.
It marked only the second regular season relief appearance of Lackey's career and the first since June 27, 2004 — a span of 4,844 days.
Lackey gave up a pair of doubles to Joey Votto and Adam Duvall, taking his 12th loss of the season. The result meant nothing to Lackey and the Cubs, but the decision could mean everything this october.