Contreras, Báez, Bote HRs lift Cubs over Brewers 5-3
Willson Contreras, Javier Báez and David Bote homered during a four-run fourth inning to lift the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3APRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
ADBERT ALZOLAY #73 - PITCHER - CHICAGO CUBS
1-4 W-L •
1.44 WHIP •
4.67 ERA
1-4 W-L
1.44 WHIP
4.67 ERA
How Adbert Alzolay gives the Chicago Cubs rotation a different look — and why the team is going against some starting pitching trends Even if the Chicago Cubs monitor and limit how many innings he pitches at the start of the season, Adbert Alzolay gives the rotation a much-...
MARCH 28, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Opening as fifth starter Alzolay has beaten out Alec Mills to be the Cubs' fifth starter, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact The fact that Alzolay is opening in the rotation doesn't mean he'll stick there all year, as the Cubs have talked about rotation pitchers through the final couple rotation spots to manage their innings. Still, it's a very positive sign with regards to how important the team believes him to be this season. Alzolay flashed potential in 21.1 innings last season, striking out 33.3 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.95 ERA, but he also walked batters at a 14.9 percent clip. He'll have to improve his command if he's to live up to his potential, but he's a good bet to help fantasy teams with a fair number of strikeouts even if his ERA and WHIP aren't great.
MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bote wins Cubs 2B job; Hoerner optioned to Triple-A Iowa
David Bote has won the second-base job with the Chicago Cubs, and Trevor Williams and Adbert Alzolay will round out the team’s rotation at the beginning of the seasonMARCH 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Looks likely to make team Alzolay will likely be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster following a handful of moves by the team Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact Brad Wieck, Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill were all sent to the minors, so Alzolay should be able to make the team, though it's unclear what his role will be. Bastian notes that Alzolay and Alec Mills could essentially split the fifth starter role, with the two working in tandem and keeping workloads more limited. That type of arrangement curbs the fantasy appeal of both players, at least until one of them potentially steps forward and grabs the rotation spot outright. Alzolay does also have a fourth minor-league option this year, an MLB arbitrator determined recently, so he could be sent down at some point even if he begins the year in the majors.
MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Is this a make-or-break season for Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay's development? Alzolay has the stuff to be effective in any role, but can he build up the stamina to become a starter?
MARCH 27, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Could head to alternate site Alzolay is a candidate to being the regular season at the Cubs' alternate training site, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact The team learned on Tuesday that it will have a fourth option year on Alzolay, meaning he can be moved to the minors or the alternate site without passing through waivers. If Alzolay starts at the alternate site, it gives the Cubs an easy way to manage the 26-year-old's innings this year. Alzolay hasn't topped 100 innings in a season since 2017, so it makes sense that the organization would build him up carefully. From a fantasy standpoint, Alzolay might be a more interesting option later in the season if he's been able to secure a more prominent role.
MARCH 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Chisox star Jiménez out 5-6 months, Rays' Anderson ailing
A week before opening day, the Chicago White Sox found out slugger Eloy Jiménez will be closed down for most of the seasonMARCH 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Assigned minor-league option Alzolay will have a fourth minor-league option for 2021, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Impact The 26-year-old had a 2.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 21.1 innings (six appearances) during the shortened 2020 campaign, but an arbitrator determined that wasn't enough to use up one of the right-hander's minor-league options. Alzolay was essentially guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot without the option year, but he can now be sent to the minors without being subjected to waivers. Regardless of whether he breaks camp with the team, Alzolay should have a role for Chicago at some point this season.
MARCH 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
RHP Kyle Hendricks to start on opening day for Chicago Cubs
Chicago manager David Ross says Kyle Hendricks will get the ball when the Cubs begin the season against Pittsburgh on April 1 at Wrigley FieldMARCH 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs notes: Jake Arrieta, Adbert Alzolay make adjustments as roster crunch continues Recent showings from Jake Arrieta and Adbert Alzolay should have the Cubs optimistic, while the bullpen continues to take shape.
MARCH 20, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Ross thinks Chicago Cubs lineup will rebound in full season
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross thinks his team’s biggest offensive stars will rebound over the course of a more conventional seasonMARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Could still have option The Cubs are awaiting word from the league on whether they'll have a fourth minor league option on Alzolay for the upcoming season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact The issue comes down to how the shortened 2020 season will be treated for purposes of options. If the Cubs do have another option year with Alzolay, the righty could be sent to the alternate training site to start the year in an effort to manage his innings. He should still figure into the team's rotation plans for 2021 either way, as he posted a solid 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts) last season.
MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
LeMahieu HR ends inning, no more early exits for pitchers
New York Yankees star DJ LeMahieu launched a three-run homer in an exhibition game Saturday, and that was all for Pittsburgh starter JT BrubakerMARCH 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
3 things we learned from the Chicago Cubs spring training home opener Tuesday, including strong debuts from Adbert Alzolay and Nico Hoerner Adbert Alzolay sees his slider as a putaway pitch, which was exactly how he executed it against Kansas City Royals first baseman Ryan O’Hear...
MARCH 3, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Makes spring debut Alzolay pitched a scoreless inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out one.
Impact Alzolay is competing for a rotation spot this spring, and he followed staff ace Kyle Hendricks, who pitched the Cactus League opener Monday. Despite being second out the gates in the exhibition slate, Alzolay will likely slot in behind the likes of Zach Davies, Jake Arrieta and Alec Mills during the regular season. Veteran Trevor Williams is also in the mix for a back-end spot.
MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Twins newcomer Happ back on mound after positive virus test
Eager for a fresh start with a new team, JMARCH 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jake Arrieta back with Cubs, finalizes $6M, 1-year contract
Jake Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contractFEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Likely candidate for rotation spot Alzolay is vying for an open rotation spot with the Cubs this spring, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood are all gone, and Zach Davies and Jake Arrieta have been added to the mix. Behind those two additions and returning starters Kyle Hendricks and Alec Mills, the Cubs seem to have a wide open fifth spot, and Alzolay may emerge as the favorite. He looked good in limited opportunities last season, posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts). The 25-year-old had some decent prospect buzz as he moved up in Chicago's system, so the organization could be inclined to give him a shot.
FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
AP source: Chicago Cubs, RHP Jake Arrieta agree to reunion
Jake Arrieta is returning to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contractFEBRUARY 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs' Craig Breslow discusses front-office role, pitching development philosophy Cubs' Craig Breslow discusses pitching development, MLB technology, Adbert Alzolay and much more.
DECEMBER 22, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Earns win in season finale Alzolay (1-1) pitched five innings of one-run ball to earn the win Sunday against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Impact The Cubs almost let Alzolay's first win of the season slip away, as a 7-1 lead when the righty left the game finished as a narrow 10-8 win. It was still a great effort for Alzolay, who finishes the regular season with a 2.95 ERA and having allowed just two earned runs across his last nine innings. The 25-year-old seems unlikely to crack Chicago's postseason rotation, at least in the first round series against Miami beginning on Wednesday, but he figures to operate as an important long reliever out of the bullpen.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Alzolay, Cubs to face Lopez, White Sox
The Cubs will start Adbert Alzolay on Sunday while the White Sox are expected to counter with Reynaldo LopezSEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moncada homers as White Sox win 9-5; Cubs clinch NL Central
Yoan Moncada homered, José Abreu hit a three-run double and the playoff-bound Chicago White Sox beat the NL Central champion Chicago Cubs 9-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field to snap a sea...SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting season finale Alzolay will start Sunday against the White Sox, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact The Cubs didn't seem to have a rotation spot open for Alzolay, but they'll move Jose Quintana, who's still building up his pitch count following a lat injury, to the bullpen for the final few days of the year. Alzolay has made three starts and two relief appearances this season, posting a 3.31 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
