Chatwood takes positive first step toward rejoining Cubs' rotation

GLENDALE, Ariz. - For Tyler Chatwood, the rest of the season should be all downhill.

Making his first start of spring training Sunday against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, Chatwood was welcomed by three of the better hitters in baseball.

He got Mookie Betts, Los Angeles' new star right fielder, on a fly out, allowed a single to Corey Seager and watched Justin Turner reach on an error.

Shaking off the hit and the fielding miscue, Chatwood got out of the jam by getting A.J. Pollock to hit into a double play.

Chatwood was done for the day after the first inning, and it was an auspicious debut as the 30-year-old righty looks to claim the No. 5 spot in the Cubs' starting rotation.

Heading into camp, Chatwood was viewed as the favorite to win the job over Alec Mills and Adbert Alzolay.

Mills started against the Athletics Saturday night and also pitched 1 scoreless inning. Alzolay is scheduled to start Monday against the Mariners.

The race is on, and Chatwood has his eyes on taking the fifth.

"When I signed here three years ago, that was the whole point," Chatwood said. "That's what I did my whole career. Last year was tough, but the way I pitched at the end of the year I feel like set me up for a good year this year, and I'm excited to have that."

It's been a rough two seasons with the Cubs for Chatwood. In 2018, he led the major leagues with 95 walks despite pitching only 103⅔ innings while going 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA.

Chatwood cut down the walk total last year, allowing 37 in 76⅔ innings while being used primarily out of the bullpen as a long reliever. He was an asset after the all-star break, going 1-2 with a 2.84 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 31⅔ innings.

"I think there's still a lot of untapped potential," Chatwood said. "Right now, I feel like this is the best I've ever been. I'm able to set up pitches. I'm able to see stuff. I have confidence that, if I miss, come back with a breaking ball.

"I feel really good. I'm very excited to get going."

Chatwood is entering the final season of a three-year, $38 million contract.