With Javier Assad (oblique) set to potentially miss some time, Rea may end up as the Cubs' fifth starter out of camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assad is dealing with oblique soreness and was scheduled to undergo imaging Monday. It's unclear how long he might be out, but the MRI makes it seem like he could be on the shelf for a bit. If that ends up being the case, Rea would be a natural option to step in. The veteran righty has plenty of starting experience at the MLB level, including 27 starts for the Brewers last year. Rea turned in a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 167.2 innings in 2024.

Rea could pivot between the rotation and bullpen this season as a swing man for the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This basically confirms the assumption when Rea signed with Chicago back on Jan. 10, which was that there isn't a clear spot for him in the rotation. The veteran righty has mostly served as a starter the past few seasons, however, and he made 27 starts for the Brewers last year. Rea's experience gives the Cubs some depth in case another starter stumbles or goes down to injury. For now, Javier Assad figures to slot in as the team's fifth starter, though that could change during camp. If Rea doesn't snag a rotation spot right away, he figures to pitch in long relief or make some spot starts.

The Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million contract with Rea on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal also includes a club option for 2026. The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 back in November, but between his $1 million buyout and new deal with the Cubs, he'll wind up with a little more than had the option been picked up. Rea posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 32 regular-season appearances (27 starts), but he had a 3.70 ERA through the end of August before a rough September. The Cubs already have at least five starters that are probably better than Rea, so he might pitch in long relief initially.

The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rea passed through waivers unclaimed, and now the Brewers will pay him a $1 million buyout as he heads into free agency. The right-hander held a 3.70 ERA heading into September this season, but he posted an 8.31 ERA that month and didn't appear for Milwaukee during the postseason. Rea shouldn't have trouble landing a rotation job somewhere this winter.

The Brewers placed Rea on waivers Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rea has a $5.5 million club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. It appears the Brewers are willing to move on from the 34-year-old righty, but they will first make him available to the other 29 clubs via waivers before paying the $1 million that would send him to free agency. Rea finished the 2024 season with a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but he surrendered 20 earned runs over 21.2 frames during his six starts in September.

Rea (12-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on 10 hits, three walks and a hit batsman over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Rea worked past four innings for the first time since Aug 24, allowing a season-high 14 batters to reach base in taking his sixth loss of the campaign. With the Brewers set to host the Wild Card round of the playoffs starting Tuesday and Rea likely on the outside looking in when it comes to their playoff rotation, Rea played the role of innings eater, tossing 106 pitches prior to calling it a day. The veteran righty finished the year with career-high marks in innings pitched (167.2), strikeouts (135) and wins (12).

Rea came away with a no-decision in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander got lifted after 67 pitches (45 strikes) with the Brewers down 4-0, but a rally in the bottom of the fifth inning took Rea off the hook for the loss. The 34-year-old hasn't worked more than four innings in any of his last five appearances, stumbling to an 8.68 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 18.2 innings over that stretch. With Milwaukee having locked up the NL Central title, Rea figures to get one more start in the final week as the team sets up its postseason rotation, but he's almost certainly ticketed for the bullpen in the playoffs.

Rea will start Friday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rea's last appearance came in relief Monday, and since the Brewers previously hadn't committed to a starter for Friday, the right-hander looked like he could end up sticking in the bullpen for the rest of the season. Milwaukee will ultimately turn to Rea to fill the fifth spot in the rotation on three days' rest, though he's still likely on the outside looking in for a starting role during the postseason. Rea holds a 6.82 ERA over his last seven appearances (six starts).

Rea is not listed among the Brewers' probable starters for their upcoming series versus the Diamondbacks and could be shifted to a relief role ahead of the postseason, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rea's last start came Sept. 11, when he was blasted for 10 runs over four innings in a loss to the Giants. He then threw 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to pick up a save in Monday's win over the Phillies. The Brewers don't currently have a starter listed for Friday, and it's possible Rea will wind up taking the ball that day on three days' rest. Even if he gets another start or two down the stretch, Rea looks on track to fill a relief role during the postseason. He's posted a 6.82 ERA over his last seven appearances (six starts).

Rea (12-5) was tagged with the loss against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Rea had a night to forget Wednesday, allowing four runs in each of the first two innings before ultimately being charged with a season-high 10 runs in the contest. The right-hander also surrendered a season-high 11 hits and has now failed to make it through five innings in back-to-back starts. Furthermore, Rea has coughed up multiple homers in three of his last four outings, while Wednesday marked only his second start this season in which he's failed to record more than one strikeout.