ADBERT ALZOLAY NEWS

Hitting free agency Alzolay (elbow) was non-tendered by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Alzolay began the 2024 season as the Cubs' closer, but he struggled and was removed from the role. His season went downhill from there, as he was sidelined by a forearm injury before ultimately undergoing Tommy John surgery in early August. Alzolay will miss all of the 2025 campaign as a result.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs cut former closer Adbert Alzolay, who had Tommy John surgery in August

The Chicago Cubs have cut former closer Adbert Alzolay after he had Tommy John surgery late last season

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Officially DFA'd The Cubs designated Alzolay (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, Alzolay isn't expected to pitch again until 2026, and the Cubs seemingly would rather use his 40-man roster spot to shield Ben Cowles from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Alzolay has put up a 3.10 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 81.1 innings over the last two seasons, and there's a good chance he draws some interest from other teams on waivers.

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be DFA'd by Cubs The Cubs are expected to designate Alzolay (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Alzolay might not be ready to pitch again until 2026 after having Tommy John surgery in August and evidently the Cubs were unwilling to wait out his rehab and also pay him in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 29-year-old broke out as the Cubs' closer in 2023 and is sure to draw interest via waivers or trade.

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will have Tommy John surgery Alzolay will undergo Tommy John surgery on his injured right elbow, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact It had been reported previously that Alzolay would be requiring some time of procedure on his pitching arm and now it's been revealed that he'll need a full UCL reconstruction. While no timetable for his return has been established, there's a good chance he won't be ready to pitch in the majors again until 2026.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay to have right forearm surgery

Chicago Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay will need surgery on his injured right forearm

AUGUST 1, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Will undergo surgery Alzolay will undergo surgery on his right forearm, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The date of Alzolay's surgery and the type of procedure he will receive have yet to be determined, though more details will come once he receives a second opinion. The 29-year-old righty has been sidelined since May due to his forearm strain, and a return timeline likely won't be available until after he goes under the knife.

AUGUST 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Getting examined after setback Alzolay (forearm) has been pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa and sent to Chicago to be examined following a setback, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports...

Impact Alzolay didn't recover well from his last rehab appearance at Iowa on Saturday, prompting the move. The reliever went more than two months between game appearances due to a flexor strain and lasted just three outings before a setback, which isn't a great sign. More should be known about Alzolay's status later this week.

JULY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab moved to Triple-A Alzolay's (forearm) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tommy Birch of USA Today reports.

Impact Alzolay appeared in two games with the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks across two innings. He'll continue his assignment at Triple-A and it's unclear how many more outings he'll need before being activated.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to begin rehab assignment Alzolay (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Impact Alzolay has been on the shelf since mid-May with a right flexor strain but has progressed to the point that he's ready to try things out in a game setting. The reliever will need many rehab appearances and will eventually move up to a higher affiliate, so he's likely still at least a couple weeks away from a return if all goes well.

JULY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Facing hitters Friday Alzolay (forearm) will throw live batting practice Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Alzolay threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and is set to face batters for the first time since being placed on the injured list in mid-May. The 29-year-old has been rehabbing with the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate, and he'll likely require a handful of minor-league rehab outings before being activated.

JULY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throws bullpen session Alzolay (forearm) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact It appears to be the first time he's thrown off a mound since he went down with a flexor strain in mid-May. Alzolay will need several rehab appearances once he's cleared for game action, and it's uncertain when that might happen.

JULY 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs take on the Angels with series tied 1-1

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels meet on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

JULY 7, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Angels look to end road losing streak, play the Cubs

The Los Angeles Angels will look to break their five-game road slide in a matchup against the Chicago Cubs

JULY 6, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Happ leads Cubs against the Angels after 4-hit game

The Chicago Cubs play the Los Angeles Angels after Ian Happ's four-hit game on Thursday

JULY 5, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shut down for two weeks Manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Alzolay (forearm) will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Alzolay went in for a second opinion on his right flexor strain Tuesday, and the damage appears to be serious enough to warrant a shutdown. Counsell added that Alzolay could require surgery, but his next steps will be determined after the two-week rest period.

MAY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heading for second opinion Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Alzolay (forearm) will receive a second opinion on his flexor strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact The right-hander landed on the injured list with a flexor strain last week, and news of a second opinion isn't an encouraging development. Alzolay remains without a clear timeline for his return and should be considered out indefinitely as he continues to be evaluated.

MAY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs place reliever Adbert Alzolay on injured list with right forearm strain and recall José Cuas

Right-hander Adbert Alzolay, who opened the season as the Chicago Cubs’ closer, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain

MAY 13, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

To injured list with forearm strain The Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right forearm strain, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Alzolay actually netted a save in Sunday's extra-inning win over the Pirates, although he gave up two runs (one earned) in the process. The righty has not looked like himself this season, collecting a 4.67 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 17.1 innings. Hector Neris will continue to operate as the Cubs' primary closer.

MAY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Steele and Adbert Alzolay are Cubs pitchers heading in opposite directions The bad news: Alzolay blew another save on Friday. The good news: Steele is on track to start for the Cubs on Monday.

MAY 3, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

DJ Stewart hits a 3-run homer to lead the Mets past the Cubs 4-2

DJ Stewart hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the sixth inning to lift the New York Mets to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs

MAY 1, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Three takeaways from the Cubs' encouraging start to the season Adbert Alzolay thinks he knows why he has struggled to start the season; Nico Hoerner and Christopher Morel have experienced extremes.

APRIL 23, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cody Bellinger and Alexander Canario HRs power Cubs past Marlins 5-3 for doubleheader split

Cody Bellinger and Alexander Canario homered and the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 5-3 to earn a split of the day-night doubleheader

APRIL 20, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adbert Alzolay's pickoff caps Chicago Cubs' series win in Seattle behind another solid start by Javier Assad SEATTLE - Chicago Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay was confident the replay review would vindicate him. Alzolay’s perfectly-timed pickoff move wit...

APRIL 15, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Blows save and takes loss Monday Alzolay (1-1) was tagged with a blown save and a loss against the Padres on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact Chicago built what looked to be an 8-0 lead by the midpoint of the fourth inning, but San Diego came storming back with seven runs in the sixth. The Cubs' bullpen was able to hold onto the one-run lead until the eighth, and Alzolay was brought in with one out and one runner on base in that frame, possibly to try to complete a multi-inning save. He struck out Xander Bogaerts to begin his outing before surrendering a two-run homer to Fernando Tatis that provided the winning margin for San Diego. The blown save was the second of the season for Alzolay, who also failed to convert a save chance Opening Day.

APRIL 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE