ADBERT ALZOLAY NEWS

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

Shuts the door Tuesday Alzolay worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Impact Alzolay continued his strong recent stretch, as he's now put together scoreless outings in nine of his last 10 appearances. The righty has established himself as Chicago's closer with his strong 2.49 ERA overall and 15 saves in 16 chances. After having some uncertainty in the role to begin the year, the Cubs have seemingly found a reliable option for the rest of this season and likely into 2024.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs 14th save Alzolay allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.

Impact Alzolay allowed two runs in an inning Saturday versus Atlanta, but that was a non-save situation. He's given up a pair of runs four times in his last 15 outings while keeping runs off the board in his other 11 appearances in that span. The right-hander is now at a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 55:7 K:BB while adding 14 saves and six holds through 49.2 innings this season.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records another save Thursday Alzolay tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Thursday's win over the Reds. He didn't allow any hits or walks, and struck out two.

Impact Alzolay continued his good recent stretch, as he's now recorded seven straight scoreless outings, a span of 7.2 innings. He's a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities in that time and now has 13 saves in total this season. Alzolay also has a tidy 2.27 ERA, and his strong play should keep him locked into the closer role for the Cubs moving forward.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shohei Ohtani headlines Ben Verlander's MLB team of the week

Shohei Ohtani had a historic week, crushing four home runs and throwing the first complete game of his MLB career.

JULY 31, 2023

Earns four-out save Alzolay allowed two hits over 1.1 scoreless innings Friday, striking out one and picking up a save against St. Louis.

Impact Alzolay put two runners on base with no outs in the ninth inning but escaped with a save in the 3-2 victory. He's converted eight straight save opportunities since his last blown chance July 4. During that span, he's given up just two runs over 10 innings. Alzolay lowered his ERA to 2.33 with a strong 52:7 K:BB through 46.1 frames.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns another save Alzolay pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

Impact A night after striking out the side to record a save, Alzolay retired the White Sox in order again to register his 11th save of the season in 12 chances. The righty is settling in as the Cubs' closer and should have decent job security at this point given his strong 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 45 innings, to go along with 51 strikeouts.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shuts the door Tuesday Alzolay struck out all three batters he faced to record the save in Tuesday's win over the White Sox.

Impact With the Cubs up 7-3 in the ninth inning, Michael Fulmer was used to start the frame. However, after he allowed the first two batters to reach, Alzolay was called on to put out the fire. The righty did so in quick order, striking out the side on 12 pitches. Alzolay has been a bright spot for the Cubs with 10 saves in 11 chances, to go with a 2.45 ERA and 51 strikeouts across 44 innings. He looks to be getting more and more comfortable in the closer role.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures another save Saturday Alzolay pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's win over the Cardinals. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

Impact Alzolay recorded a save for the second straight day and he now has nine of them this season. The righty has clearly moved ahead of Mark Leiter for closer duties, with the latter working the eighth inning again Saturday. Alzolay has looked comfortable in the role with a 2.51 ERA and 10.0 K/9 this year, and he should continue to see the bulk of the save opportunities for the Cubs.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures eighth save Alzolay picked up the save Friday against St. Louis, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't record a walk or strikeout.

Impact Alzolay entered with a one-run lead and proceeded to retire Lars Nootbaar and Paul Goldschmidt in order before Nolan Arenado reached on a fielding error. Alzolay then plunked Willson Contreras to put the go-ahead run on base but secured the save by retiring Tyler O'Neill. The right-hander has run away with the Cubs' closing job since May 6, going 7-for-8 in save chances while posting a 28:4 K:BB across 26.1 innings during that stretch.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ends first half with save Alzolay pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Yankees.

Impact Alzolay made quick work of the Yankees on seven pitches, giving him his seventh save of the season in eight chances. The righty has excelled in a relief role this year after working as a starter earlier in his career. Alzolay now has a 2.29 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 43 strikeouts across 39.1 innings. He should continue to serve as Chicago's closer after the upcoming All-Star break.

JULY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches sixth save Alzolay gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Impact He needed 10 pitches (seven strikes) to complete the shutout after Jameson Taillon gave up only one hit over the first eight frames. Over his last 14 appearances, Alzolay has a 1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB through 14.2 innings while converting five of six save chances, and the 28-year-old appears to have separated himself from the pack in the Chicago bullpen -- no other Cub has recorded a save in the last month.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bounces back to record save Alzolay worked a perfect ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Brewers. He struck out two.

Impact It didn't look like Alzolay would be needed Wednesday, but the Cubs hung three runs on Devin Williams in the top of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Alzolay then made quick work of the Brewers in the bottom half, striking out the first two hitters before getting Christian Yelich to fly out. The righty blew his first save of the season a night earlier, but he's been good overall with a 2.41 ERA and 42 strikeouts across 37.1 innings this year. He should remain Chicago's top closing option moving forward.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save in Milwaukee Alzolay was charged with a blown save Tuesday against the Brewers after he gave up two runs on four hits and no walks over 1.1 innings. He struck out three.

Impact The right-hander allowed an inherited runner to score before closing out the eighth inning and returned for the ninth, but he was unable to maintain a 6-4 advantage for his first blown save of the year. Alzolay went from late May to late June without giving up a run in 10 appearances, but he's now surrendered four runs (three earned) in his past two outings. The 28-year-old leads Chicago with four saves and should continue splitting closing duties with Mark Leiter.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs fourth save Alzolay picked up the save Saturday against Baltimore. He struck out two over a scoreless inning while walking one and not allowing any hits.

Impact Alzolay entered the game to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and got the first two batters to go down swinging before issuing a walk to Austin Hays. However, he'd make short work of Adley Rutschman in the next at-bat, getting him to ground out on a four-seamer to end the contest. It marked Alzolay's fourth save this season and he has not allowed a run over eight appearances since May 21.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures third save Alzolay struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

Impact Alzolay has been in the high-leverage mix throughout the season, and he's now logged two saves and a hold over his last six appearances (6.1 innings). The right-hander continues to be effective in relief for the Cubs with a 2.10 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 30:4 K:BB through 30 innings overall. Mark Leiter, who is also in the closer committee, pitched 1.1 innings Friday to earn his 10th hold of the campaign.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works eighth inning Friday Alzolay pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's 2-1 win over the Padres. He struck out one.

Impact Alzolay recently earned a two-inning save for the Cubs, but he was back in a setup role Friday, with Mark Leiter working the ninth for the save. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) out, Alzolay and Leiter should both continue to see high-leverage work, which gives each of them a boost in fantasy appeal, at least in the short term.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works two innings for save Alzolay pitched two perfect innings to record the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rays. He struck out four.

Impact The Cubs' bullpen was rested after Marcus Stroman went all nine innings Monday, but the team still elected to close things out with Alzolay instead of Mark Leiter, who worked the seventh inning. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) on the injured list, Leiter has seemingly been the favorite for saves, though Alzolay remains in the mix and now has two saves this year. His strong performance Tuesday could help him see more opportunities moving forward.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes third loss Alzolay (1-3) allowed two runs on three hits across an inning of relief to take the loss Sunday against the Phillies. He struck out one.

Impact After six scoreless innings from starter Justin Steele, Alzolay promptly came in and allowed Philadelphia to score the first two runs of the game. Despite the losing record, Alzolay has been mostly good this season with a 2.66 ERA and 22 strikeouts across 23.2 innings. This was his first time allowing multiple earned runs in an outing since April 4.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tough-luck loss Sunday Alzolay (1-2) allowed two runs (both unearned) on one hit over three innings as he took the loss against the Marlins on Sunday.

Impact Despite being handed with the loss, Alzolay pitched well under some pressure circumstances and gave the Cubs a chance to walk things off in extras. The Marlins would end up scoring the game winning run off a balk from Alzolay, which was an extremely unfortunate way for the 28-year-old to lose the game. He tossed 37 pitches and likely won't be available out of the pen until at least Wednesday. For the year, Alzolay owns a 2.41, ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB over 18.2 innings. He and Mark Leiter have been the two most reliable bullpen arms for David Ross thus far.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down first save Alzolay pitched a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Marlins.

Impact Brad Boxberger served up a walkoff homer Thursday while Mark Leiter and Michael Fulmer worked the late innings in Friday's victory, so roles at the back of the Cubs' bullpen could be in flux as manager David Ross tries to figure out how best to deploy his top arms. Alzolay has earned his spot in that group with a 2.87 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB through 15.2 innings, and he has a win and four holds through 13 appearances in addition to Saturday's save.

MAY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first 2023 win Alzolay (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits across 2.2 innings of relief and earned the win Tuesday against the Reds. He struck out five.

Impact Starter Hayden Wesneski didn't make it through five full innings, so Alzolay was needed for a bit of length, and he looked sharp outside of allowing a two-run home run to pinch hitter Stuart Fairchild. The righty made 21 starts for the Cubs back in 2021, though he's worked exclusively as a reliever the last two seasons. Alzolay figures to stay in that role for the foreseeable future.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to start Wednesday Alzolay is slated to start Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact The Cubs have said Alzolay is exclusively being viewed as a reliever this spring, but he's set to start his first Cactus League contest Wednesday. The righty likely won't work too deep into the game and the outing may resemble a multi-inning relief appearance, which could be Alzolay's typical usage this year. Alzolay made only six appearances last season due to a lat strain, all of which came out of the bullpen, but he did start 21 games back in 2021.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs blank Manny Machado, Padres in first Spring Training no-hitter since 2017

The Cubs no-hit the Padres in a Spring Training game Friday. The game only took two hours and 14 minutes thanks in part to MLB's new pitch c...

MARCH 4, 2023

Cubs will rely on Alzolay as multi-inning relief weapon MESA, Ariz. -- Adbert Alzolay had his sights set on a rotation job ahead of last season. Then he stood at his locker at Spring Training a ye...

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • MLB.COM