The Chicago Cubs came into the season expecting right-hander Colin Rea to factor into the rotation in some capacity. The 35-year-old had 76 career big-league starts before joining the Cubs, and the organization expected that experience to be valuable as they tried to build a pitching staff with depth and multi-inning options.

With now just over a week to go ahead of the MLB trade deadline, real reports of discussions between teams are starting to surface rather than just rumors or id

The Cubs’ biggest need, with about a week before the July 31 deadline, is starting pitching. Lugo, who held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in six innings, will be highly sought after by contending teams if the Royals make him available. But their trade-deadline direction is unclear.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit two homers and drove in four runs to lead the visiting Kansas City Royals to an 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

This round of the City Series arrives as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The Cubs are in a position to buy while the White Sox will be looking to sell.

Matthew Boyd pitched seven crisp innings for his 11th win, and the Chicago Cubs spoiled Rich Hill's return to the majors with a 6-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

By calling up Rich Hill for Tuesday's showdown with the Chicago Cubs, the Kansas City Royals put the 45-year-old left-hander in position to make history.

Crow-Armstrong sat out Monday’s series-opening loss to the Kansas City Royals with a bruised right knee he sustained on a slide in Sunday’s game. Manager Craig Counsell had expressed optimism that the 23-year-old could play after a one-game reprieve.