Williams will start for the Cubs in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Williams will receive his second straight turn through the rotation coming out of the All-Star break while Jake Arrieta (hamstring) remains out of commission. Arrieta is set to throw a simulated game Monday, so Williams could be pushed into a long-relief role if the former is activated from the injured list by the time a fifth starter is next needed July 30 in Washington.

Williams allowed four earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings Tuesday against the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Williams made his first start since May 26 and worked two scoreless innings to begin the outing. However, he stumbled from there, allowing one earned run in the third frame and three more in the fourth. Williams has had an uninspiring campaign to this point, posting a 5.68 ERA with a 55:22 K:BB across 52.1 innings. Even so, he should have a chance to stick in the rotation with Jake Arrieta (hamstring) sidelined.

Williams is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jake Arrieta (hamstring) isn't available to begin the second half, so Williams will step into the Chicago rotation as the fifth starter after he previously worked as a bulk reliever July 6 in his first outing back from the injured list. Before missing time while recovering from appendicitis, Williams started in each of his first 10 appearances of the season and went 3-2 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.60 WHIP.

Williams will not start Sunday after the game against St. Louis was postponed, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The righty takes a 5.51 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP into the All-Star break. It's unclear whether Williams will be in the Cubs' rotation for the second half or if Jake Arrieta (hamstring) will replace him once healthy.

Williams will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was expected to pitch out of the bullpen until the All-Star break, but he'll take the mound to begin Sunday's series finale after Jake Arrieta (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Wednesday. The right-hander served as a bulk reliever Tuesday and allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out three in 3.2 innings.

Williams (abdomen) allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings during Tuesday's 15-10 loss to Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Williams missed over a month while recovering from an appendectomy. He threw 49 of his 74 pitches for strikes in the long-relief assignment, but he also yielded a solo shot to Rhys Hoskins in the seventh inning. The Cubs' defense did Williams few favors in his return, allowing four runs to be tacked onto his line in the seventh. The right-hander owns a 5.51 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB across 47.1 innings this season. He'll operate out of the bullpen for now, but he could be a candidate to fill a job in the rotation during the second half of the season.

Williams will be a reliever for the Cubs at least until the All-Star break, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Jake Arrieta's struggles persist, it's possible he yields his spot in the rotation to Williams sometime after the break. Williams hasn't excelled either this season, pitching to a 5.36 ERA and tallying just two quality starts in 10 outings. The Cubs' rotation plans should become more clear next week as the second half begins.

The Cubs activated Williams (abdomen) from the 10-day IL on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The righty returns to the Cubs after lasting five scoreless innings Friday in his second rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa. Williams' 5.36 ERA this season is nothing pretty, and Alec Mills has been decent of late as the fifth starter, so it's possible Williams shifts to the bullpen.

Williams (abdomen) completed his second rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, working five innings while giving up an unearned run on two hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Williams tossed 58 pitches (45 strikes) in the outing, so he's seemingly capable of handling a starter's workload if the Cubs are prepared to activate him from the injured list. The 29-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since May 31 while recovering from an emergency appendectomy.

Williams (abdomen) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams has been sidelined since the end of May, but he's been ramping up his intensity across the last several weeks. He threw a simulated inning Tuesday and threw a bullpen session Thursday, and the start of his rehab assignment should allow him to increase his pitch count. It's not yet clear how many rehab games the right-hander could require before he returns to the majors, but he's progressing well in his recovery.