Carlos Villanueva was rocked for nine runs over three innings in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals.

Villanueva gave up 10 hits (including a home run), so nearly half of the 21 batters he faced managed to reach base. The 30-year-old has now allowed 12 runs on 20 hits in just 9 1/3 innings of work this season. Look for him to move back to the bullpen when Jake Arrieta (shoulder) comes off the disabled list. That should happen pretty soon.

Carlos Villanueva could be scratched from Sunday's scheduled start against the Phillies after appearing in relief on Monday and Wednesday.

Villanueva took the loss in both extra-innings games versus the Pirates. Because he only threw a total of 30 pitches in the two appearances, it's still possible he'll start Sunday. If the Cubs decide against it, they could call someone like Chris Rusin up.

Cubs fifth starter Carlos Villanueva took his second loss in two games after giving up a run in the 16th Wednesday.

On Monday, he gave up a run in the 10th to take a 1-0 loss. Villanueva wasn't supposed to pitch in relief again tonight, but the Cubs were left with little choice. After giving up a run in his second inning of work, he's already 0-2 and he's still yet to make a start.

Carlos Villanueva will be the Cubs' fifth starter to begin the season.

Villanueva didn't exactly grab the job by the throat this spring, posting a 5.60 ERA over 17 2/3 innings. Fortunately for him his competition, Chris Rusin, was even worse, and Jake Arrieta (shoulder) isn't ready to go. Villanueva's first start will be April 6.

Carlos Villanueva is expected to open the season in the Cubs' rotation while Jake Arrieta (shoulder) is on the disabled list.

The versatile swingman made 15 starts for the Cubs last season, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Arrieta has resumed throwing from a mound and shouldn't be sidelined too long, so Villanueva figures to make only a handful of starts before sliding back into a relief role.

Carlos Villanueva is moving back to the bullpen.

Villanueva has had mixed results since returning to the starting rotation and will now make way for Jake Arrieta. Feel free to drop him in most fantasy leagues.

Carlos Villanueva allowed four runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Villanueva made one real mistake, which Matt Holliday lined over the left field wall for a three-run homer. In all, Villanueva gave up seven hits and a walk, striking out four. The right-hander hasn't recorded a win since his return to starting, and even without a decision he's just 2-8 on the year. He'll have a shot at some revenge when the Cardinals visit Wrigley on Friday.

Carlos Villanueva gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings Tuesday in a no-decision against the Brewers.

Villanueva took a 5-2 lead to the sixth, but he was pulled after a one-out walk and a single that innings. James Russell replaced him and immediately gave up a game-tying homer, adding two runs to Villenueva's total. Villanueva doesn't deserve to be bumped back to the pen, but it's worth wondering if it may happen soon. The Cubs have Jake Arrieta starting game two of the doubleheader tonight, and they'll want to open up a full-time spot for him soon.

Carlos Villanueva yielded three runs over five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Villanueva threw 37 pitches in the first inning, so it's impressive that he managed to make it as far as he did. The veteran right-hander struck out five and walked three in the loss and has dropped three out of four starts since rejoining the Cubs' rotation. He'll square off against the Brewers next week at home.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum indicated after Carlos Villanueva struggled Saturday that his rotation spot could be in jeopardy.

Villanueva was lit up for seven runs over four innings against the Rockies. He had pitched well in his first two starts since re-entering the rotation, but with Scott Baker nearing a return and Jake Arrieta at Triple-A, Villanueva can't afford more slip-ups. "Yeah, that's the stuff we talk about," Sveum said, "but we're not jumping to any conclusions right now."

Carlos Villanueva was pounded for seven runs in four innings by the Rockies on Saturday.

Villanueva has had just two starts this season in which he's given up more than four runs and both have come against the Rockies. He was truly poor tonight, finishing with no strikeouts and four walks. He also allowed his first homer in over a month (to NL leader Carlos Gonzalez). But we'd still use him in NL-only leagues against Arizona next time out.

Carlos Villanueva took a loss after surrendering two runs in six innings versus the Cardinals on Friday.

Villanueva has a 3.59 ERA in 10 starts and 16 relief appearances this year, yet he has a 2-5 record to show for it. Maybe he'll be the beneficiary of better luck in the second half.

In Carlos Villanueva's first start since rejoining the Cubs' starting rotation, he surrendered one run over four innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Pirates.

Villanueva struck out five, walked one and scattered three hits. The right-hander, who took Scott Feldman's spot after the latter was traded to the Orioles last week, was pulled after just 69 pitches and obviously needs to be stretched out before he begins working deeper into games. Villanueva, 29, will take a 2-4 record and 3.39 ERA (over 74 1/3 innings) into a home matchup against the Cardinals next time out.

Carlos Villanueva will join the Cubs' starting rotation this Saturday against the Pirates.

Villanueva is taking over for Scott Feldman, who was traded to the Orioles earlier this week. Villanueva, 29, has a 3.45 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 52/19 K/BB ratio in 70 1/3 innings (eight starts, 16 relief appearances) this season and is worth adding in most mixed leagues.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said that Carlos Villanueva will be stretched out to re-enter the rotation following the trade of Scott Feldman.

It will take him a little while to get stretched out, as Sveum doesn't expect Villanueva to enter the rotation until mid-July. The right-hander posted a 3.93 ERA in eight starts before being moved to the bullpen, where he held a 2.40 mark. Those in deep leagues should consider scooping him up.

The Cubs are moving Carlos Villanueva to the bullpen.

Carlos Villanueva allowed seven runs over five innings as the Cubs lost to the Rockies on Tuesday.

Villanueva was consistently bad Tuesday, allowing runs in four of his five innings of work. In total, Rockies hitters got to him for 12 hits, including two home runs. After starting the season on a roll, Villanueva now owns a 3.93 ERA and has just one win to show for his efforts. He should be better his next time out against the Pirates.

Carlos Villanueva owns a 3.02 ERA and 35/14 K/BB ratio in 47 2/3 innings over seven starts this season.

Villanueva's ERA has increased in each of his last five starts, but he has been the Cubs' most consistent pitcher outside of Travis Wood. Still, the Cubs will have to decide whether to move him or Scott Feldman to the bullpen when Matt Garza (lat) is ready to return from the disabled list.

Carlos Villanueva whiffed eight batters but allowed four runs over six frames in Sunday's loss to the Marlins.

He had a couple bad innings, giving up a two-run homer in the first and three hits and two runs in the sixth, and that was enough. Still, it was another solid outing for the right-hander, and he'll carry a nice 2.29 ERA and 0.82 WHIP into next weekend's start against the Reds.

Carlos Villanueva allowed just two runs in 8 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Reds on Tuesday.

The Cubs won the game, but Villanueva didn't get the win as he exited with a 2-1 lead and a runner on base. Carlos Marmol allowed the run to score before closing out the inning and serving Villanueva with a no-decision in the process. Still, the 29-year-old righty was terrific, allowing just three hits and two walks on the evening while striking out six. He's only got one win to show for his efforts, but Villanueva has been fantastic on the season, allowing just five earned runs through 29 1/3 innings. He's got a good opportunity to get his second win Sunday against the Marlins.