Adbert Alzolay - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Locks down first save Alzolay earned the save in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers, working around two hits in a scoreless inning.

Impact Alzolay allowed back-to-back singles to Freddie Freeman and Will Smith to open the ninth, but he'd rebound to set down the next three batters, preserving a 9-7 lead to grab his first save of the year. After allowing a run in his first appearance this season, Alzolay's responded with three scoreless outings, striking out four in that span. He should remain the primary closing option in Chicago after he converted 22 of 25 save chances last year while posting a career-best 2.67 ERA over 64 innings.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Sunday Alzolay (illness) struck out one and worked around a base hit in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 5-3 win over the Guardians in Cactus League play.

Impact Alzolay had been in line to make his second appearance of spring training Friday, but the Cubs scratched him from the pitching schedule after he came down with the illness. The right-hander quickly overcame the ailment, clearing up any lingering concern about his status heading into Opening Day. Though Alzolay paced the Cubs with 22 saves in 2023, it's unclear if he'll begin the upcoming season as the team's primary closer after Chicago inked Hector Neris to a one-year, $9 million deal in January.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Alzolay returns from injured list as slumping Cubs seek bullpen boost for final weekend

Adbert Alzolay returned from the the injured list in hopes of providing a boost for the struggling Chicago Cubs bullpen during their playoff push

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns from injured list The Cubs reinstated Alzolay (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact A strained right forearm sent Alzolay to the injured list Sept. 11, and he will now return for the Cubs' final series of the year as they attempt to secure the final NL Wild Card spot. The 28-year-old righty has been a crucial piece to Chicago's bullpen in 2023, posting a 2.71 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 63 innings while racking up 22 saves. Keegan Thompson was optioned to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing simulated work Alzolay (forearm) is set to advance to facing live hitters this week, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Alzolay already has a few successful bullpen sessions under his belt and is ready to take the next step in his recovery from the mild right forearm strain that has kept him sidelined since Sept. 10. He still has an outside shot of being able to return before the end of the regular season, though the clock is ticking. Julian Merryweather has been drawing the majority of the save chances for the wild-card-hunting Cubs.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen goes well Alzolay (forearm) will play catch Saturday after his bullpen session Friday went well, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Alzolay will be eligible to return from a forearm strain as soon as Tuesday, and given his steady progress, a return on or around that date would seem to be in play. The Cubs enter play Saturday with a one-game lead for the third and final Wild Card spot, so they'll want to have Alzolay available for as much of the final week as possible if he is indeed cleared to return.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Touch-and-feel bullpen session Alzolay (forearm) will throw a touch-and-feel bullpen session Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Impact While not a regular bullpen session, Alzolay getting on a mound in any fashion still looks to be a notable step forward. The Cubs' closer is working his way back from a right forearm strain and is still hopeful he can make it back before the end of the regular season. Alzolay is eligible for activation Sept. 26, although he could need a little more time than that even if all goes well.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Advances to long-toss Alzolay (forearm) threw long-toss Tuesday at Wrigley Field, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact On the shelf since Sept. 10 due to a right forearm strain, Alzolay resumed playing catch over the weekend and has now advanced to long-distance throwing. There is still an outside chance that the 28-year-old could return to the Cubs' bullpen before the end of the regular season, but he'll have to move on to mound workouts rather soon. He had tallied 22 saves with a 2.71 ERA and 66:12 K:BB in 63 innings prior to the IL stint.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Alzolay (forearm) played catch Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Alzolay hit the injured list Monday with a right forearm strain, an injury that's potentially quite worrisome for a pitcher. The righty, who's saved 22 games for the Cubs this season, certainly isn't out of the woods yet, but the fact that he's already throwing again so soon after the injury is an encouraging sign. Julian Merryweather and Michael Fulmer have each earned saves in Alzolay's absence, but Fulmer is now on the injured list with a forearm strain of his own.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can Chicago Cubs bullpen step up without closer Adbert Alzolay? Adbert Alzolay’s injury presents another challenge for the Chicago Cubs’ heavily used backend of the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Cubs place closer Adbert Alzolay on IL, activate RHP Michael Fulmer The Chicago Cubs, who are contending for a playoff berth, on Monday placed closer Adbert Alzolay on the 15-day injured list because of strai...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Cubs place closer Alzolay on the 15-day IL and promote top prospect Crow-Armstrong from minors

The Chicago Cubs have placed closer Adbert Alzolay on the 15-day injured list and promoted top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lands on injured list Alzolay was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Sept. 10 with a right forearm strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Alzolay was bothered by an unspecified injury earlier this month and was not particularly sharp over his last few outings, and it turns out he is dealing with an issue that will cost him at least a couple weeks of action. The Cubs turned to Julian Merryweather for the save Sunday, so he is seemingly the favorite to work as the closer during Alzolay's absence.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available to pitch Wednesday Cubs manager David Ross said Alzolay is available to pitch Wednesday versus the Giants after overcoming an undisclosed minor injury, Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com reports.

Impact Ross declined to offer any specifics on Alzolay's injury, but whatever it was appears to have abated enough for the closer to be ready to pitch. "When guys are dealing with stuff, you've just got to give a little bit of a rest," Ross said. "Sometimes, four days is better than 15."

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save in nightcap Alzolay (2-5) blew his third save of the season and took the loss in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds, giving up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an...

Impact The right-hander's rough outing was kicked off by a Nick Martini solo shot. Alzolay has blown his last two save chances, and since the beginning of August he has a 4.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings. The first-year closer likely isn't in any danger of losing his job just yet, but with the Cubs in a dogfight to secure a playoff spot, manager David Ross may not have the luxury of patience. Mark Leiter (2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18:4 K:BB in 13 IP over the last month) or Julian Merryweather (1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 21:5 K:BB in 15 IP during that stretch) could get looks in the ninth if Alzolay continues to fade.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win Wednesday Alzolay (2-4) worked around a walk and a hit batter to toss 1.1 scoreless innings and earn the win Wednesday against the Brewers.

Impact The Cubs turned to Alzolay with the bases loaded and two out in the top of the eighth inning. The righty proceeded to hit Mark Canha, which allowed Milwaukee to tie the game at 2-2 and saddled Alzolay with just his second blown save this season. However, Chicago scored in the bottom half of the frame, and Alzolay pitched a clean ninth to earn the win. The Cubs' closer has pitched each of the last two days, but he will get to rest Thursday during a team off day, so he should be ready if needed Friday against the Reds.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cruises to 22nd save Alzolay retired all three batters he faced to record the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Impact Alzolay was dominant as he shut down Milwaukee on 11 pitches, giving the Cubs an important win against the division-leading Brewers. The righty now has 22 saves in 23 chances this season, and he's converted his last 18 opportunities in a row. After working mostly as a starter earlier in his career, Alzolay has developed into an outstanding reliever, and he could be settling in as Chicago's closer for the foreseeable future given his strong play this year.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets last out for save Alzolay struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Pirates.

Impact Daniel Palencia was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the ninth inning, but he walked two while collecting two outs. With Bryan Reynolds up to bat, manager David Ross tasked Alzolay with ending the threat. This was Alzolay's 21st save in 22 chances this season, and he's converted 17 chances in a row. For the season, he's maintained a 2.64 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB over 58 innings.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 20 saves Alzolay allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning but managed to secure the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Pirates.

Impact Pittsburgh scored their automatic runner following a ground out and a sacrifice fly, but Alzolay comfortably got through the 10th inning on 13 pitches. He's up to 20 saves, including one in each of the last two days. Alzolay has yet to pitch three days in a row this season, so he probably won't be available if the Cubs have a save opportunity Friday.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shuts the door Wednesday Alzolay pitched around a hit and a walk to record a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save Wednesday against the Tigers. He struck out two.

Impact Alzolay was a little shaky for the second straight appearance, though this time he kept the opponent off the board and preserved Chicago's 6-4 win. The righty now has 19 saves this season in 20 chances, to go along with a solid 2.70 ERA. Alzolay has done more than enough to hold onto the closer job the rest of the way as the Cubs fight for a playoff spot.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shaky but earns save Alzolay allowed two runs on two hits but managed to secure the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Impact Alzolay got the benefit of working with a three-run lead but he wasn't particularly sharp, allowing the two hits and also hitting a batter. The righty was still able to escape with his 18th save in 19 chances, and his ERA remains a tidy 2.75. Alzolay was pitching in back-to-back games, so fatigue could have been a factor. He should still have a strong hold on the closer role in Chicago due to his performance so far this season.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up 17th save Alzolay picked up the save Saturday against the Royals, allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Impact Alzolay allowed a one-out single to M.J. Melendez after being brought in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth but needed just five pitches to get through the final two batters and secure his 17th save. The 28-year-old right-hander has now converted his last 13 save opportunities, with his lone blown save coming back on July 4. He's also issued only two walks since the start of July.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

José Altuve, Trea Turner headline Ben Verlander's team of the week

Cody Belinger's comeback story continued, while Matt Olson is making a late MVP push. See who else made Ben Verlander's latest team of the w...

AUGUST 14, 2023

José Altuve, Trea Turner headline Ben Verlander's team of the week

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve & Phillies' Trea Turner lead Team of the Week | Flippin' Bats

AUGUST 14, 2023 • Fox Sports

Nails down 16th save Alzolay picked up the save Saturday against the Blue Jays, striking out one over a perfect inning.

Impact Alzolay entered the contest in the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead and got Brandon Belt to go down on strikes in the opening at-bat. The right-handed reliever then made short work of the next two batters to complete a perfect inning and log his 16th save of the season. Alzolay has now converted each of his last 12 save attempts, with his only blown save coming back on July 4 against the Brewers. He's also issued just one walk over his last 11 appearances (spanning 11.2 innings).

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Alzolay returns from injured list as slumping Cubs seek bullpen boost for final weekend

Cubs place closer Alzolay on the 15-day IL and promote top prospect Crow-Armstrong from minors

José Altuve, Trea Turner headline Ben Verlander's team of the week

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve & Phillies' Trea Turner lead Team of the Week | Flippin' Bats