Mills (back) will throw a live BP session Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills threw a bullpen session early last week, and he'll take another step in his recovery by facing hitters Tuesday. He built up to 77 pitches during a simulated game April 10, so he appears close to joining the Cubs' rotation.

Mills (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills hit the 10-day injured list with a lower-back strain on Opening Day, but he continues to get work in. He threw 77 pitches in a simulated game Sunday, so it looks as though he'd be ready to handle a starter's workload whenever the Cubs feel he ready to return.

Mills (back) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Sunday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills is eligible to return from the injured list as early as April 14. While he has made progress in recovering from his injury, a return later in April may be more realistic. Mills projects to join the Cubs' rotation once fully healthy, and he posted a 5.07 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 119 innings while working primarily as a starter in 2021.

Mills was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained lower back Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills had been expected to open the season in the rotation, but he'll wind up missing at least one start, which could go to Keegan Thompson instead. Mills' expected recovery date is not yet clear, though he'll be eligible to return as soon as April 14, as his move to the injured list was backdated to April 4.

Mills allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits across 1.2 innings in Friday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He walked one and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Mills was tagged for two home runs and struggled throughout his brief appearance. The righty has already been confirmed for a rotation spot to begin the year, so the poor performance shouldn't hurt his standing, but it's not a great sign after he recorded a 5.07 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 2021. Mills looked better in the condensed 2020 season when he registered a 4.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP and also posted a no-hitter.

Manager David Ross said Tuesday that Mills has secured a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day rotation, pending further additions to the roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills already looked to be in good shape for a rotation spot heading into spring training, and the recent report that Adbert Alzolay (lat) will be sidelined for at least two months likely clinched it for the right-hander, who went 6-7 with a 5.07 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and an 87:34 K:BB in 119 innings in 2021. Now that Mills is on track to enter the season as the Cubs' No. 4 starter, Keegan Thompson and Justin Steele are expected to vie for the final opening in the rotation for the remainder of the spring.

Mills allowed two runs across four innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Cardinals. He gave up four hits and two walks while striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Mills allowed a solo home run to Tommy Edman to lead off the game, but then settled in and pitched better across four innings. He gave way to Joe Biagini in the fifth inning, who pitched three innings and earned the win in a game that was called after the top of the eighth due to rain. Mills finishes his season with a 5.07 ERA and 87 strikeouts across 116 innings. He'll likely be in Chicago's plans for the rotation next year, though his lack of strikeouts limits his fantasy appeal, and he's likely best used as matchup-dependent streamer.

Mills allowed six runs on seven hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Pirates. He walked two and struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Mills could have easily picked up his eighth loss of the year, but Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller also allowed six runs, taking the former off the hook. Mills has struggled lately, allowing 16 earned runs across his last three starts (13.2 innings). The righty has seen his ERA climb to 5.09 in the process. Mills will try to at least end his campaign on a high note in his next and final scheduled start, which lines up for the season finale against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Mills (6-7) took the loss against the Twins on Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four across four-plus innings.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander fell behind early, surrendering two runs in the first frame. He got through the next two innings without being scored upon, but Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the fourth, the final two coming by way of a Nick Gordon home run. Mills was allowed to go back to the mound on the fifth, but he was pulled after allowing the first two batters of the frame to reach base, and both eventually came around to score. The 29-year-old has now given up 11 runs (10 earned) over his past 8.2 frames to inflate his season ERA to 4.83. Mills is tentatively scheduled to next pitch at home against the red-hot Cardinals on Sunday.

Mills allowed four runs on six hits across 4.2 innings but did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies. He walked two and struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Mills wasn't particularly effective, but the Cubs took him off the hook for a loss with two runs in the eighth to tie the game before eventually losing 6-5. The righty has alternated good and middling starts his last five times out, and his 4.50 ERA points to a pitcher who has been pretty middle of the road most of the year, capable of solid performances but also plenty of blowups. Mills will look to get back on track in his next scheduled appearance Tuesday against the Twins.