Caleb Kilian works his way back from injury for Chicago Cubs

Caleb Kilian enjoyed one of the best spring training outings of his Chicago Cubs career this year. Thanks to a fastball with a few more miles per hour behind it, the right-handed pitcher compiled a microscopic 1.50 ERA in three outings with the Cubs.

“I did really well, I probably threw as hard as I’ve ever thrown,” Kilian said.

But the momentum of a successful spring ended quickly when the hurler went down with a torn muscle in his right shoulder. It was an injury that cost Kilian a chance at a spot on Chicago’s Opening Day roster and forced him to miss the beginning of the season.

“Not ideal,” Kilian said. “But it’s just a setback.”

Kilian still has the fastball and is still hoping to make an impact with the Cubs this season, trying to regain that spring training form during a rehab assignment with the Iowa Cubs.

“It’s nice to be back here,” Kilian said. “Of course, this is not what you want in the spring. But I feel like there are some good things that came out of it.”

Expectations have been high for Kilian since the Cubs acquired him from the San Francisco Giants as part of the Kris Bryant trade. Kilian, who became the team’s top pitching prospect, has struggled in his few stints in Chicago, going 0-3 with a 12.42 ERA in six games from 2022-23.

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But there was reason for optimism thanks to the strong spring. Kilian, who normally was in the mid-90s with his fastball, suddenly was pitching in the upper 90s. Even he doesn’t know what caused the increased velocity.

“Maybe it’s just maturing, getting older, getting stronger,” Kilian said. “There were a few things I worked on this offseason. Just getting on the ball more has added a little bit of life to it.”

That’s a big reason why the timing of the injury couldn’t have been worse for Kilian, who was flourishing and suddenly looking like the pitcher the Cubs hoped he would be. Instead, Kilian was forced to sit out eight weeks of pitching while he rehabbed from the setback.

He didn’t return to the game until July 2, when he began a rehab assignment with the South Bend Cubs. Kilian made three appearances there before continuing his recovery process with Iowa. In seven games between the two top prospects, Kilian compiled a 7.50 ERA.

But it was an adjustment for Kilian coming out of the bullpen and adjusting to life as a reliever. Kilian said he’s not sure if the plan is permanent. But after missing so much time this season, it’s likely a quicker way back without having to worry about building himself up as a starter.

“I have developed a new routine, where I don’t have so much routine anymore,” says Kilian.

There are some signs of improvement. In Iowa’s loss on Sunday, Kilian threw three hitless innings. His fastball topped out at 97.2 mph.

If Kilian comes out of the bullpen, his velocity could blossom even more and take off even more. During an outing in South Bend, he reportedly reached triple-digits with his fastball. After all he’s been through, maybe Kilian’s career can finally take off too.

“It’s kind of a rollercoaster,” Kilian said of the last few seasons. “There’s a lot of ups and downs, but you try to keep yourself going through it.”

Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports writer and reporter, has been with the paper since 2008. He is the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8468.