Cubs fifth starter Carlos Villanueva took his second loss in two games after giving up a run in the 16th Wednesday. On Monday, he gave up a run in the 10th to take a 1-0 loss. Villanueva wasn't supposed to pitch in relief again tonight, but the Cubs were left with little choice. After giving up a run in his second inning of work, he's already 0-2 and he's still yet to make a start.

Carlos Villanueva will be the Cubs' fifth starter to begin the season. Villanueva didn't exactly grab the job by the throat this spring, posting a 5.60 ERA over 17 2/3 innings. Fortunately for him his competition, Chris Rusin, was even worse, and Jake Arrieta (shoulder) isn't ready to go. Villanueva's first start will be April 6.

Carlos Villanueva is expected to open the season in the Cubs' rotation while Jake Arrieta (shoulder) is on the disabled list. The versatile swingman made 15 starts for the Cubs last season, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Arrieta has resumed throwing from a mound and shouldn't be sidelined too long, so Villanueva figures to make only a handful of starts before sliding back into a relief role.

Carlos Villanueva is moving back to the bullpen. Villanueva has had mixed results since returning to the starting rotation and will now make way for Jake Arrieta. Feel free to drop him in most fantasy leagues.

Carlos Villanueva allowed four runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday. Villanueva made one real mistake, which Matt Holliday lined over the left field wall for a three-run homer. In all, Villanueva gave up seven hits and a walk, striking out four. The right-hander hasn't recorded a win since his return to starting, and even without a decision he's just 2-8 on the year. He'll have a shot at some revenge when the Cardinals visit Wrigley on Friday.

Carlos Villanueva gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings Tuesday in a no-decision against the Brewers. Villanueva took a 5-2 lead to the sixth, but he was pulled after a one-out walk and a single that innings. James Russell replaced him and immediately gave up a game-tying homer, adding two runs to Villenueva's total. Villanueva doesn't deserve to be bumped back to the pen, but it's worth wondering if it may happen soon. The Cubs have Jake Arrieta starting game two of the doubleheader tonight, and they'll want to open up a full-time spot for him soon.

Carlos Villanueva yielded three runs over five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Villanueva threw 37 pitches in the first inning, so it's impressive that he managed to make it as far as he did. The veteran right-hander struck out five and walked three in the loss and has dropped three out of four starts since rejoining the Cubs' rotation. He'll square off against the Brewers next week at home.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum indicated after Carlos Villanueva struggled Saturday that his rotation spot could be in jeopardy. Villanueva was lit up for seven runs over four innings against the Rockies. He had pitched well in his first two starts since re-entering the rotation, but with Scott Baker nearing a return and Jake Arrieta at Triple-A, Villanueva can't afford more slip-ups. "Yeah, that's the stuff we talk about," Sveum said, "but we're not jumping to any conclusions right now."

Carlos Villanueva was pounded for seven runs in four innings by the Rockies on Saturday. Villanueva has had just two starts this season in which he's given up more than four runs and both have come against the Rockies. He was truly poor tonight, finishing with no strikeouts and four walks. He also allowed his first homer in over a month (to NL leader Carlos Gonzalez). But we'd still use him in NL-only leagues against Arizona next time out.

Carlos Villanueva took a loss after surrendering two runs in six innings versus the Cardinals on Friday. Villanueva has a 3.59 ERA in 10 starts and 16 relief appearances this year, yet he has a 2-5 record to show for it. Maybe he'll be the beneficiary of better luck in the second half.