Williams (abdomen) threw a bullpen session Thursday and could rejoin the team soon.

EDGE Analysis

Williams threw a simulated inning Tuesday and ramped up his activity two days later. Manager David Ross said he wants to build up the righty's innings before he rejoins the team, but that could happen in the next few days. Williams could bump Alec Mills to the bullpen when he returns, though the Cubs may stay somewhat fluid with the No. 5 spot in their rotation to manage workloads this season.

Williams (abdomen) threw a simulated inning Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The righty will likely be ready for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa after one more session on the mound. Williams' last start before the injury was arguably his best of 2021, as he allowed one run in six innings and struck out seven hitters. It remains unclear when exactly Williams will return to the Cubs, but the end of June remains a realistic expectation.

Wiliams (appendix) played light catch Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams is beginning to ease back into baseball activities after requiring an appendectomy May 30, but since he hasn't been cleared for mound work yet, he appears unlikely to make it back from the 10-day injured list when first eligible this week. Kohl Stewart has made two straight starts in place of Williams and could get the nod when Williams' turn comes up again next weekend versus the Cardinals. Alec Mills (back), who built up to six innings in his most recent rehab outing June 2 at Triple-A Iowa, would represent another option to fill in for Williams.

Williams (appendicitis) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was scheduled to start Monday's game against the Padres but underwent an appendectomy Sunday. He doesn't have a timetable for his return, but he's scheduled to meet with a doctor Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports. Right-hander Kohl Stewart was recalled to start Monday's game, and he could continue to start in Williams' place until he's cleared to return.

Williams won't make his scheduled start Monday against the Padres after he underwent an appendectomy Sunday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs haven't yet announced who will take Williams' place as the starter for Monday's series opener against the Padres. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will be forced to miss more than one turn through the rotation following his procedure.

Williams (3-2) pitched six innings of one-run ball to earn the win Wednesday against the Pirates. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Making his third appearance of the season against his former team, Williams was much sharper than in the previous two outings, when he allowed seven earned runs across just 7.1 innings. This was also the longest the righty has lasted in a game since his first start of the year back on April 5, and he was just one off his season high in strikeouts. Williams will look to build on the strong outing in his next scheduled start Monday against the Padres.

Williams did not factor into the decision during Thursday's win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

All of his damage came via back-to-back long balls off the bats of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber in the first inning. After the shaky frame that also included a leadoff walk and a single, Williams was able to shut Washington down for the rest of his short outing, although the 29-year-old did show some improvement after getting yanked after two innings and 42 pitches Saturday in Detroit. Williams has allowed 13 runs on 20 hits and 10 walks over last four starts, bringing his season stat line to a 5.97 ERA and 1.78 WHIP. The right-hander's next projected start comes on the road Wednesday at Pittsburgh.

Williams didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Tigers, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over two innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander got staked to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning but immediately squandered it by coughing up three runs in the bottom of the frame, and after Williams escaped another jam in the second, Cubs manager David Ross had seen enough. Williams hadn't lasted longer than four innings in any of his last three starts, with the rough patch ballooning his ERA to 6.27, and his 11.4 percent walk rate on the year is the worst of his career.

Williams gave up two runs on five hits and two walks over four innings during Saturday's 3-2 win over the Pirates. He had six strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Ka'ai Tom during the fourth inning, but he otherwise kept Pittsburgh off the board. The Cubs didn't score the game-deciding run until the seventh inning, so he wouldn't have earned the victory even if he lasted the five frames necessary to earn a win. Williams has a 5.81 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB across 31 innings this season.

Williams allowed six runs on six hits and four walks across 2.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Williams probably deserved his third loss of the season, but the Cubs rallied from an early deficit to tie the game before falling 13-12 in 10 innings, so the righty escaped the decision. It was still the worst outing of the year so far for Williams, who was tagged for three home runs, and it pushed his ERA up to 6.00 through six starts. He'll look to get back on track his next time out Saturday against the Pirates.