Kilian (shoulder) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Kilian began throwing bullpen sessions earlier this month and has now progressed to facing live hitters for the first time since landing on the injured list before Opening Day. He will likely require a lengthy rehab assignment before being reinstated from the IL, at which point it's more likely that he reports to Triple-A Iowa rather than the big-league club.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Throws off mound
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Kilian (shoulder) threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
It would appear to be the first time he's thrown off a mound since being diagnosed in early March with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. Kilian, who is on the 60-day injured list, figures to need a lengthy rehab assignment once he's deemed ready. Further, it isn't a given that he will be added to the big-league roster once he's off the IL.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Lands on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Cubs placed Kilian (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Kilian was diagnosed in early March with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. The team noted at the time that it's an injury that can have a wide range of timelines, but the righty is likely to be out at least until around the All-Star break.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Diagnosed with teres major strain
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Kilian will be sidelined until around the All-Star break after an MRI revealed a teres major strain in his right shoulder, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Counsell noted that it's the type of injury which can have varying timelines, but Kilian isn't expected to be pitching anytime soon. The loss of Kilian is a hit to the team's starting pitching depth, as he was likely slated to open the season in the Triple-A Iowa rotation.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Undergoes MRI on shoulder
Rotowire
Killian underwent an MRI after exiting a Cactus League appearance Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The results of the MRI aren't yet in, but it's certainly a discouraging development for the young right-hander. If healthy, Killian is likely slated for a spot in the Triple-A Iowa rotation, though he could also be an option for the big-league club as a reliever.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Looks sharp in spring opener
Rotowire
Kilian logged two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.
Kilian was the third pitcher to appear in the contest for the Cubs and he looked sharp. The righty has appeared in six games (four starts) for Chicago over the past two years and could be in the running for a bullpen role this spring if he pitches well. Kilian doesn't seem like a realistic option for a rotation spot at this point, though he could be on the radar for spot starts when needed.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Optioned back to Iowa
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The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Kilian has surrendered 10 earned runs in just 5.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level. Michael Rucker will join Chicago's bullpen Tuesday in a corresponding roster move.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Promoted Sunday
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Kilian was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The 26-year-old made a spot start for the Cubs in late April but was sent back to Triple-A after he surrendered seven runs across 3.1 innings. Kilian has continued to work as a starter at Iowa and has a 3.97 ERA over 88.1 innings, but he'll likely work out of the bullpen for Chicago.
The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Kilian was ineffective in his first start of the season with the Cubs on Saturday against the Marlins, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in just 3.1 innings. The right-hander could be a starting option again for Chicago if necessary, but Saturday's outing didn't exactly inspire much confidence. Ryan Borucki was brought up from Iowa in a corresponding transaction.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Rocked in spot start
Rotowire
Kilian (0-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and two walks over 3.1 innings against Miami. He struck out four.
Kilian was called up from Triple-A to start in place of Jameson Taillon (groin) on Saturday and got yanked after just 3.1 innings. Despite not allowing a home run, Kilian was tagged for seven earned runs and 10 hits, each of which were career-highs. Going back to last season, Kilian has given up at least five earned runs in each of his last three starts and has yet to pick up a win in the big leagues after going 0-2 in 2022. Considering his massive struggles against a Marlins roster that has averaged the third-fewest runs per game (3.39) this season, it's unclear if Kilian will toe the rubber any time soon. Regardless, he remains an unsavory fantasy option.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Officially starting Saturday
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Cubs manager David Ross confirmed Friday that Kilian will start Saturday against the Marlins, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Kilian will get the start in the place of Jameson Taillon, after the latter was placed on the 15-day injured list with a groin injury. Kilian has registered a 7.15 ERA for Triple-A Iowa, but eight of the nine runs he's allowed over 11.1 innings came in his first start. The 25-year-old right-hander may not be a future ace, but he throws four pitches for strikes to keep hitters off-balance, and he could be a solid -- if unspectacular -- option while he's a member of the Chicago rotation.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Recalled for start at Miami
Rotowire
Kilian was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will start for the Cubs on Saturday against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
As planned, Kilian gets the call to fill in for Jameson Taillon (groin) at loanDepot park in Miami. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed 15 runs -- 13 earned -- over his first 11.1 major-league innings last season and was showing an ugly 7.15 ERA through 11.1 innings this year at Triple-A Iowa. He is not a recommended fantasy streamer.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Lined up for spot start
Rotowire
Kilian threw a bullpen session Thursday and isn't listed among Triple-A Iowa probable starting pitchers this weekend, suggesting he could be called up to make a spot start for the Cubs on Saturday in Miami, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports.
The Cubs require a new fifth starter this week with Jameson Taillon (groin) recently moving to the injured list, and all signs point to Kilian getting the first chance to replace him. After being lit up for eight earned runs in his 2023 debut for Iowa on April 2, Kilian rebounded nicely over his most recent two outings, logging a 1.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across nine innings. In lieu of a start, Kilian threw a simulated game at Iowa a few days ago to stay sharp, so he should be able to provide the Cubs with a decent amount of length if he does in fact get the call to the big leagues Saturday.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Optioned to minors
Rotowire
Kilian was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over four innings in two appearances this spring. Kilian will work on putting the finishing touches on his development at Triple-A while he awaits another opportunity in the big-league rotation at some point this summer.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Working on mechanics
Rotowire
Kilian said he is working to correct a mechanical flaw this spring, which he hopes will allow him to post better results in 2023, Sahadev Sharmam of The Athletic reports.
Kilian made his MLB debut in 2022 and struggled mightily, posting a 10.32 ERA and 2.03 WHIP across three starts. It's not a huge sample size, and the 25-year-old still has decent prospect upside, so he could certainly turn a corner this year. The Cubs seemingly have a full rotation entering camp, so Kilian will likely have to compete for a bullpen role or begin the year with Triple-A Iowa.
Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Mixed results back in Triple-A
Rotowire
Kilian has put up a 4.72 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB across 34.1 innings (eight starts) since returning to Triple-A.
That's not exactly the stat line you want to see from your most advanced pitching prospect after his first taste of the majors, but Kilian has never been a super-high-upside arm. The 25-year-old's season-long WHIP in Triple-A is a poor 1.40, and while Kilian has shown notable strikeout ability, he hasn't pitched deep into games very often and is walking far too many batters. The Cubs are still treating him as a potential starter in the long run, but there's relief risk here.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
Kilian was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The 25-year-old surrendered seven runs (five earned) over 2.1 innings Monday and will now make his way back to the minors. Kilian is Chicago's top pitching prospect, but he struggled across his first three starts in the majors with a 10.32 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 9:12 K:BB in 11.1 innings.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Struggles with command Monday
Rotowire
Kilian (0-2) allowed seven runs (five earned) on three hits across 2.1 innings to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He walked five and struck out three.
Kilian couldn't find the plate Monday, as he walked five of the 15 batters he faced and also uncorked a wild pitch. Through 11.1 innings so far this season, the 25-year-old now has 11 walks. Kilian is considered the Cubs' top pitching prospect, though it seems like he still needs some refinement before taking off at the MLB level. For now, he's slated to start again Saturday against the Cardinals, but he may return to Triple-A Iowa at some point.
