Kilian (shoulder) made the fifth appearance of his rehab assignment Sunday for Triple-A Iowa, retiring the lone batter he faced on six pitches.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to this season, Kilian had made all but three of his professional appearances as a starter, but the Cubs look to be preparing him for a relief role as he makes his way back from a teres major strain his right shoulder, which has kept him on the shelf since spring training. He's worked out of the bullpen in all five of his rehab appearances to date, tossing no more than two innings and 32 pitches in any of those outings.

Kilian (shoulder) struck out two over two perfect innings in his rehab start Tuesday with High-A South Bend.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian tossed 21 pitches in the outing while the Cubs continue to ease the right-hander along slowly as he makes his way back from a teres major strain in his right shoulder, an injury that has sidelined him since early March. The 27-year-old will likely require at least three more rehab starts to get fully stretched out for a traditional starter's workload, so he may not be activated until late July or early August. Once Kilian is reinstated, the Cubs could elect to option him to Triple-A Iowa, if the big club doesn't have an opening in its rotation.

Kilian (shoulder) is starting a rehab assignment Tuesday at High-A South Bend, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kilian will start up a rehab assignment Tuesday, pitching in game conditions for the first time since straining his shoulder in spring training. The 27-year-old has been progressing well, getting up to 32 pitches in a bullpen session in mid-June before facing live hitters June 25. He could be cleared for activation before August.

Kilian (shoulder) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Kilian (shoulder) threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

The Cubs placed Kilian (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Killian underwent an MRI after exiting a Cactus League appearance Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Kilian logged two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

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.

The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.