SAN FRANCISCO _ Tyler Chatwood provided instant relief for the Cubs rotation Wednesday, while Jon Lester's illness will now allow him to face the Brewers this weekend in a revamped rotation.
Lester, according to several Cubs, started to feel ill Tuesday and arrived at Oracle Park with a fever Wednesday morning. His next start was pushed back to Sunday against the Brewers, against whom he is 5-3 with a 2.35 ERA in nine career starts.
The Cubs adjusted the rotation for the three-game series in Milwaukee, with Kyle Hendricks pitching Friday's opener on his normal four days' rest and Jose Quintana starting Saturday on six days' rest.
Chatwood, who warmed up in the 13th inning of a 5-4 loss Tuesday night, got the start in place of Lester and pitched four innings of one-run ball to help the Cubs end a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Giants.
Making his fourth start of the season and his first appearance since July 14, Chatwood scattered four hits and walked one. He allowed a two-out single to Stephen Vogt that cut the Cubs' lead to 3-1 in the third, but he rebounded by striking out Brandon Crawford on a curve.
Chatwood's 68th and final pitch, a third strike past pitcher Tyler Beede, was clocked at 98 mph.
Cole Hamels, whose fastball topped out at 92 mph during his 35-pitch rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Iowa, will throw a bullpen session Thursday in San Antonio.
The retooled rotation means Hamels could return next week during the three-game series in St. Louis that starts Tuesday. Hamels hasn't allowed an earned run on five hits while striking out 14 in 15 innings against the Cardinals this season.
