It’s déjà vu all over again.
The famous quote from Yankees legend Yogi Berra certainly applies to the early part of the 2026 season for Colin Rea and the Chicago Cubs.
The veteran right-hander once again finds himself in the Cubs rotation — and a crucial part of the pitching staff — before May … after beginning the year in a swingman role in the bullpen.
For the second straight year, the Cubs broke camp unsure exactly how Rea would fit into the pitching picture. And for the second straight year, he’s become the team’s unsung hero within the first month.
Rea shut down the Phillies Monday night, allowing just 1 run in 6.2 innings to lift the Cubs to their sixth straight win. It was only the second start of the season for Rea, who worked behind an opener in Philadelphia his last time out (at the start of this winning streak) and has also served in a long relief role.
He is now 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP on the season, and even more impressively, has done a lot of that damage against the Phillies. It is often difficult for pitchers to face the same team in back-to-back outings, but that was no issue for Rea. In fact, he owns Bryce Harper — the Phillies slugger went 0-for-3 against Rea Monday night and is now 0-for-17 against the Cubs pitcher all-time.
Rea’s flexibility and laid-back attitude have earned him a new nickname around the Cubs clubhouse, as Taylor McGregor shared on Monday night’s Marquee Sports Network broadcast. Cubs third base coach Quintin Berry coined the nickname “36B” for Rea because he will do anything and not complain about it — like sit in 36B (a middle seat toward the back of the plane on a flight).
In his year-plus in a Cubs uniform, the 35-year-old Rea has made 29 starts and eight relief appearances. In those, he has racked up a strong 14-7 record, 3.83 ERA, and 1.22 WHIP with a pair of saves.
And like his nickname illustrates, he’s done it all in an understated way without even a whisper of drama.
Colin Rea is like an ice-cold Old Style at Wrigley. Sure there are some other options that might be better and cost more but it's by far the best bang for your buck and it delivers every time. Mr. Reliable t.co/T4OhW36GLJ
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) April 21, 2026Obviously, the Cubs would prefer not to be in this position for a second year in a row, needing to lean on Rea in the rotation so early. But after Justin Steele went down for the season last April, Cade Horton suffered the same fate this spring, and the Cubs have needed Rea to step up.
“He’s been terrific for us,” Jed Hoyer said on the Cubs’ last homestand. “I think about our first 12 games last year, I remember him coming out of the bullpen to get a 3-inning save against the A’s. He was in that role to start the year. And then Steele went down and he stepped in the rotation and obviously was incredibly valuable for us.
“He has such a great demeanor about him. We were sitting there talking during spring training, that he was our sixth starter to start the year, but we know how that goes. That means he’s gonna make a ton of starts. Two starts in, he’s obviously in a rotation again.
“It’s just so great to have a player like that that understands the role; he understands that there will be times he can be in the bullpen. But he’s prepared for both roles. He’s been incredible for us. And a really great teammate for us. Goes about it the right way every day. Mentors guys in his quiet, stoic way.”
Time will tell whether Rea will stick in the Cubs’ rotation all season. Matthew Boyd is on the verge of returning from the IL, and Steele could be back in a little over a month.
But regardless of where he pitches, the Cubs know they can count on Rea, and he’ll be ready to answer the call.
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