Deserving Cubs Prospect Back in Majors

The Chicago Cubs are in a bit of a rough spot here with Marcus Stroman on the injured list, but it appears as though they'll continue to use Javier Assad in the rotation, meaning they need another long-man in the bullpen alongside Hayden Wesneski.

Prior to Sunday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves, the Cubs called up right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian, while optioning left-handed reliever Anthony Kay to Triple-A.

The Cubs needed six pitchers to put away the Braves on Saturday, as Assad went 3.2 innings, while Michael Fulmer, Daniel Palencia, Mark Leiter Jr., Julian Merryweather and Adbert Alzolay recorded the final 16 outs.

Kilian, 26, was called up earlier this season to make a spot start against the Miami Marlins on April 29, and unfortunately the right-hander was hit hard, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 3.1 innings. After that, it was back to Triple-A.

Since then, Kilian has looked pretty damn good with the Iowa Cubs. He's pitched in 15 games, including 14 starts, and has posted a 3.51 ERA in 77 innings. He's been even better since the middle of June, recording a 2.43 ERA in 37 innings, with 30 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Kilian last pitched on Aug. 1, when he gave up just one run in six innings, striking out six, walking one, while surrendering five hits.

The swinging strikeouts were a great sign for Kilian, who despite the high velocity this season, has still struggled to miss bats on a consistent basis. Overall at Triple-A this season, Kilian has 67 strikeouts and 28 walks in 88.1 innings.

Bleacher Nation has a great breakdown on the changes Kilian has made during the past six weeks that has led to much better results.

The Cubs will most certainly need multiple innings from Kilian this week. Following Sunday's finale against the Braves, the Cubs will go play the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays on the road. Drew Smyly, who has struggled for a few months, starts Monday and at this point Assad is penciled in to pitch Friday night against the Blue Jays.

Stroman, who went on the 15-day injured list earlier this week with inflammation in his right hip, is eligible to return on Aug. 16.