The Chicago Cubs have decided that they need eight relief pitchers. With the day off this week, the Cubs will go to a 4-man rotation temporarily, as they sent John Koronka back down to Iowa and called up lefty Rich Hill to pitch in long relief.

The Cubs promoted Hill from West Tenn to Iowa in late May after he posted a 3.28 ERA in 57.2 innings for the Diamond Jaxx, with 90 strikeouts and 21 walks. He had an unearned run streak of 27 innings for West Tenn. Hill started 3 games for Iowa, pitching 18.2 innings and allowing 9 runs on 12 hits (5 homers!) and 6 walks, while striking out 29.

Hill can pitch. But as commenter Brian C noted, "It's hard to understand bringing up Hill to pitch out of the bullpen. Nothing like spending key development time pitching long relief once every two weeks, I guess."

Hill made his major league debut in today's game. He pitched an inning and allowed 2 runs, striking out 2.

While Hill will likely be sent down sometime later this month when the Cubs need a 5th starter again (with Jerome Williams the most often mentioned name for that spot), if Hill pitches really well, it is possible the Cubs could consider releasing Cliff Bartosh, who Baker has no confidence in.