The Cubs have signed Caleb Kilian to a minor-league deal Thursday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian was released by the Cubs Saturday after was was designated for assignment April 10. He had made just one appearance before he was released, but he surrendered six runs across 2.1 innings in that game for Triple-A Iowa. The righty now rejoins the Cubs, but outside of the 40-man roster.

Kilian was released by the Cubs on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday before ultimately being let go by the team two days later. The right-hander appeared in one game with Triple-A Iowa on April 3, surrendering six runs on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 2.1 innings against Indianapolis.

Kilian was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian was once a highly-regarded prospect and was acquired by the Cubs as part of the return for Kris Bryant. However, he stalled in the upper levels of the minors and has made only five starts in the majors during his career. Kilian could stick with the organization if he clears waivers.

The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian gave up eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings during spring training. The 27-year-old righty owns a career 9.22 ERA and 2.01 WHIP across 27.1 MLB frames, and his 40-man spot could be in jeopardy soon.

While Kilian figures to compete for a starting job in spring training, he currently projects to fall short of earning a spot in the Cubs' rotation, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holdovers Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad all seem positioned for rotation spots. The same is true for veteran addition Matthew Boyd. That would leave Kilian, who is out of minor-league options, looking at a long-relief role if he sticks with the team. Assad is the least experienced of those starters and could get pushed in camp, but he pitched well enough in 2024 across 29 starts and figures to have the inside track at this point. Kilian won't have a ton of fantasy value if he's stuck in Chicago's bullpen.

Kilian tossed five scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian just made his season debut for the Cubs on Monday, allowing six runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings, but he looked much sharper Sunday in the last game of the year. The 27-year-old righty pitched well for Triple-A Iowa earlier this season, compiling a 3.22 ERA across 44.2 innings, and he could be in line for a depth spot with Chicago in 2025. Kilian has a career 9.22 ERA at the MLB level, however, so his fantasy upside may be limited.

Kilian will start Sunday's game against the Reds, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian allowed six runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings during his season debut Monday, but the Cubs will give him the ball to start their final game of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old righty has been solid in Triple-A to the tune of a 3.22 ERA, but his 11.28 career ERA in the big leagues makes him an unappealing streaming option.

Kilian (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian was called up earlier in the day, then tossed 5.2 innings in a bulk relief role. Kilian, making his first major league appearance of 2024 after having appeared in six contests over the previous two seasons, allowed 12 batters to reach base and six total runners to cross the plate. Kilian has now allowed 28 earned runs across 22.1 career big-league innings. At the very least, he'll be remembered in Philadelphia as the pitcher of record on the losing end when the Phillies clinched their first division pennant since 2011.

The Cubs recalled Kilian from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Right-hander Nate Pearson is serving as the Cubs' opening pitcher for Monday's game in Philadelphia, but he's likely to cover only an inning or two before turning the contest over to the bullpen. Kilian will be available out of the bullpen and may end up taking on a bulk-relief role for the Cubs, as his final start with Iowa came six days earlier. Kilian made three appearances (one start) for the Cubs in 2023 but has pitched exclusively in the minors in 2024, turning in a 3.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB over 44.2 innings with Iowa.

The Cubs reinstated Kilian (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian had been on the shelf all season while recovering from a teres major strain of his right shoulder, but he's healthy again after completing an eight-appearance rehab assignment in the minors. The last five of those outings came at Iowa, with whom Kilian gave up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and five walks while striking out three over eight innings. Though his results were generally poor, Kilian tossed three no-hit innings in his most recent appearance Sunday. Kilian had been working in relief during his rehab assignment, but since the Cubs didn't have a spot in the bullpen available for him upon his activation, he could get stretched back out for starting duty with Iowa.