Mills (1-0) allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Mills worked very efficiently, requiring only 77 pitches to complete his evening of work. The only damage against him came on a two-run home run by Nick Castellanos in the fourth inning. While Mills did not generate a lot of strikeouts, he did force groundball outs, helping him limit the damage when contact was made. While Jose Quintana (thumb) continues to ramp up, Mills should stick in the Cubs' rotation. His next start is currently projected for Sunday against the Pirates.

Manager David Ross said Mills will open the season as Chicago's fifth starter, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills will be tasked with filling in for the injured Jose Quintana (thumb) to start the season. The right-hander impressed in a swingman role for the Cubs in 2019, posting a 2.75 ERA and 42:11 K:BB across 36 innings (nine appearances, four starts).

Mills is well-positioned to break camp as Chicago's fifth starter after Jose Quintana underwent thumb surgery Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Colin Rea and Adbert Alzolay are also in the mix to fill in for Quintana -- who is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season -- though Mills appears to be the frontrunner. The 28-year-old Mills excelled in a swingman role for the Cubs in 2019, posting a 2.75 ERA and 42:11 K:BB across nine appearances (36 innings), including four starts.

Mills could work as the Cubs' sixth starter when the regular season is able to begin, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, it looked like Tyler Chatwood would get the fifth spot in the rotation, with Mills serving as a long reliever. However, a shortened season with expanded rosters is now the likely route for MLB, and that could mean teams like the Cubs turn to six-man rotations, at least until their top five pitchers stretch out their arms more. Mills started four times for Chicago in 2019 and would make sense as a sixth starter if the team goes in that direction.

Mills will likely serve as the Cubs' long reliever when the regular season is able to begin, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills and Tyler Chatwood entered spring training as candidates for the team's fifth and final rotation spot, and Chatwood is the heavy favorite to win that job. That would shift Mills to long relief, though the role could hold more value this year than usual if the MLB calendar gets compacted and features more doubleheaders in an effort to squeeze in more games. In this scenario, bullpens will likely be used heavily, and someone like Mills could see a lot of action.

Mills added a slow curveball to his pitch mix last season and opposing batters hit just .143 against it, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills started working on a slow curve while with Triple-A Iowa last season. The pitch averaged just 67.6 mph, which was the lowest average velocity among pitchers who threw at least 50 curveballs in 2019. Because of his success with the pitch, expect Mills to use it heavily again in 2020. The righty is fighting for the Cubs' fifth rotation spot this spring, though he could end up as the team's long reliever.

Mills will start Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Athletics, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills, Tyler Chatwood (shoulder) and Adbert Alzolay will start Chicago's first three games this spring. The 28-year-old Mills, who compiled a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 36 big-league innings last season, is expected to compete for the Cubs' final rotation spot during camp.

Mills allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Only a Matt Carpenter solo shot damaged Mills' performance Friday. The right-hander will likely finish the year with a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB in 36 innings over nine appearances (four starts). He posted a 1-0 record and notched one save.

Mills is set to start Friday against the Cardinals, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks were shut down for rest purposes, leaving Mills to get the ball for Friday's series opener. The right-hander has made eight appearances this season (three starts), notching a 2.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Mills tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing two hits and two walks with six strikeouts during a no-decision against the Cardinals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs couldn't have asked for much more from Mills, who learned Thursday he would be starting in place of Cole Hamels (shoulder). Mills tied a season high with 81 pitches and nearly made it through five scoreless, but the Cubs bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Mills remains 1-0 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 31 innings across eight appearances, including three starts.