Hocking a LOOGY

We're not even two full weeks into the 2019 Major League Baseball season and the Cubs have already been forced to make their second roster alteration on the year.  As we covered in yesterday's post, the North Siders' bullpen has been suspect at best and the starting rotation hasn't been much better.  The lone bright spot on the pitching staff has been Opening Day starter, Jon Lester - he and his 2.57 ERA has been the exception that proves the rule.   While the frameworks of a dynasty have crumbled around the Cubs' fan base in the early going, a "Big Jon" start still feels almost like an automatic win.

So, of course, Lester tweaked his hamstring while running the bases in the Wrigley Field opener and has landed on the injured list.  Groovy.  This is why we can't have nice things.

In all seriousness, it appears to be a minor issue, as an MRI didn't show anything alarming and Lester is only expected to miss one start... maybe two.  Fingers crossed that Jon feels better soon because anything beyond that might mean an extended stay in the rotation for the historically wild Tyler Chatwood.  That thought is enough to make any Cubs rooter shudder with dread.

With Chatty expected to step out of the pen and into the opening in the rotation during Jon's 10-day stint, that meant Theo and crew had a chance to call upon another reliever from AAA Iowa as part of the ongoing effort to extinguish that dumpster fire.  Enter, Tim Collins:

Tim was inked to a minor league deal - and allotted a 40-man roster spot - just as spring camp was being packed up in Arizona.  The lefty was looked upon as a depth piece with ample Major League experience who could step up on an as needed basis.  I don't think anyone in the front office expected Tim's phone to ring quite so early in the season; but, nevertheless, here we are.

Mr. Collins first ascended to the Big Leagues in 2011, as a member of the Royals after bouncing around the farm systems of a few clubs.  Though undersized (5'7"), the rare pure relief prospect was valued for his ability to miss bats and he ultimately he struck out 25% of the batters he faced while allowing a meager .220 average against during his four years as a key member of the Kansas City late innings relief corps.  Then, the wheels fell off midway through the 2014 season when Tim heard the words that every pitcher dreads:  Tommy John Surgery.  Even worse, he would have to go under the knife for the procedure twice before he could again take to a professional mound.

After years of rehab, Collins clawed his way back to the Majors with the Nationals last season, where he appeared in 38 games, without earning a decision.  While that may seem odd, the 22.2 innings count indicates that the Nats used today's subject as a pure LOOGY, a role in which he was merely okay in with Washington (.222/.314/.444 allowed against lefties).  Now, he'll get another chance to redeem himself in Chicago.  It would be fantastic for all parties involved if Collins were to rediscover his pre-injury form - everyone loves a comeback story and the Windy City bullpen could use an unexpected hero.
 

Collins (left) and Everett Teaford borrow a pair of Jonathon Broxton's pants in 2012

Like most relievers, Tim Collins doesn't have much of a cardboard footprint.  The lefty has a few Bowmans and twice made an appearance in Topps Update (2011 & 13).  Luckily for me, I was able to track down a cheap Collins card for my Cubs All-Time Roster Collection on Ebay - the 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks and Prospects single that you see at the top of this post.  While I'm not  in love with the overly dark design of this product, which is made all the more drab by the nighttime picture used by the old bubblegum company, I do enjoy that fact that it puts the pitcher's unique windup on full display.  That characteristic and the free shipping were enough for me to click "buy it now."

Well, that and my overwhelming urge to plug the hole that instantly opened up in my binder upon Collins' call-up.

At any rate, welcome back to the Big Leagues, Mr. Collins.  Also, welcome to Chicago and to my treasured CATRC binder.  Here's hoping that "hocking a LOOGY" is enough to put out this pitching dumpster fire!