The Cubs have been forced to make a few scratches shortly before games recently. Infielder David Bote has gotten the call a couple of times, and right-hander Alec Mills was pressed into service Friday against the Brewers.
Mills got the call from manager David Ross about two hours before the first pitch after right-hander Tyler Chatwood was scratched from his start because of mid-back tightness.
It had been 11 days since Mills’ last start against the Royals. The only work he had done since then were his normal bullpen sessions and five innings in a simulated game while the Cubs were home after their postponed series last weekend against the Cardinals.