MESA, Ariz. — For all the uncertainty around the Cubs this spring, the fifth-starter job might be right-hander Tyler Chatwood’s to lose.
That might not be the greatest comfort to Cubs fans who watched Chatwood lose his rotation job in 2018.
But Chatwood performed well for much of last season out of the bullpen, cutting his enormous 2018 walk rate almost in half in the process, and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy suggested he is the favorite over right-hander Alec Mills for the last rotation spot.
‘‘He obviously wants to be that guy,’’ Hottovy said. ‘‘Going in, he’s in my eyes in that spot to be that guy. Chatwood’s going to be ready to go and has really put himself in a good spot to be in that role.’’
Former Padres and Marlins right-hander Colin Rea proved at Class AAA last season that he is back from serious injury, and he also could push Chatwood and Mills, Hottovy said.
Right-hander Adbert Alzolay, who made his big-league debut last season with up-and-down results, also will get some starts this spring but is more likely to be on a more conservative schedule.
‘‘There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be in the mix for stuff during this season, whether it’s in the very beginning or if it’s midseason,’’ Hottovy said.
RHP Walker gets a look
Free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker, a bright young starter for the Mariners and Diamondbacks before injuries limited him to a combined 14 innings the last two seasons, worked out for the Cubs at their spring facility.
‘‘Felt good,’’ Walker said as he left the complex with his representatives.
Cubs officials declined to discuss the workout or their level of interest in Walker.
