The Cubs are swapping out relievers today, as Kyle Ryan is headed to the bereavement list.

Cubs place LHP Kyle Ryan on MLB’s bereavement list. Allowed 3-7 days away from team. RHP Alec Mills recalled from AAA Iowa. Mills is en route and will be available out of the bullpen. — Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 9, 2019

I wonder if the Cubs knew Kyle Ryan was going to be heading out for a bit when he pitched 2.1 innings last night in a blowout. In any case, our thoughts are with Ryan and his family as they handle whatever it is that they’re going through, and hopefully he comes back feeling better and ready to continue being a key piece down the stretch.

As for Mills, he’s already shown big-league-caliber stuff on multiple occasions at this point, and while he’s certainly not a one-to-one replacement for Ryan (in role or in success thus far), he can be a really nice multi-inning arm if the Cubs need him, particularly after Tyler Chatwood went three innings last night.