Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay will bear Tommy John surgical procedure, per supervisor Craig Counsell. Maddie Lee of the Chicago Solar-Instances relayed the information on X. It was reported final week that the righty can be going underneath the knife however the particular nature of the process had not but been decided. He’ll miss the rest of this season and will miss all of 2025 as effectively.
It’s clearly an unlucky blow for Alzolay and the Cubs. The righty appeared to unlock one thing final 12 months after shifting from a beginning function to a full-time aid function. He tossed 64 innings over 58 appearances for the Cubs final 12 months, permitting 2.67 earned runs per 9. He struck out 26.5% of batters confronted, restricted walks to a 5.1% clip and stored the ball on the bottom 42.2% of the time. He even secured the nearer’s job, nabbing 22 saves final 12 months.
He did miss about two weeks in September with a proper forearm pressure, which now appears to be like in hindsight prefer it was an omen of what was to return in 2024. He made 18 appearances to start out this 12 months however with much less effectiveness. He solely struck out 17.3% of batters confronted and had an ERA of 4.67. The Cubs put him on the IL on Could 13, saying that he had a proper forearm pressure. The subsequent day, they advised reporters that imaging confirmed Alzolay had a proper flexor pressure, per Lee on X.
There was nonetheless some hope of him returning, as he began a rehab task in July. However he made simply three appearances there earlier than it was reported that he would require some sort of surgical procedure, which was a imprecise replace till as we speak’s developments.
Now that he’s slated for the worst-case state of affairs of Tommy John surgical procedure, Alzolay’s complete 2025 season is in jeopardy. Pitchers often require 14 months or extra to return again from such a big operation, a timeline that may make it attainable he gained’t see official recreation motion till 2026. He’s at present 29 years outdated however will flip 31 in March of 2026.
He reached arbitration for the primary time coming into this 12 months and is making a wage of $2.11MM. Given how a lot time he has missed, the Cubs might retain him round that worth for 2025 however possible wouldn’t get something for that funding besides the fitting to carry onto Alzolay’s rights for the 2026 marketing campaign, the final earlier than he’s slated free of charge company. Groups and gamers on this state of affairs will generally work out an extension to cowl the rehab interval and the pitcher’s deliberate return to the mound, so maybe the Cubs will discuss to Alzolay’s reps this winter about such an association.
Within the meantime, the membership’s bullpen figures to be in flux, for this 12 months and subsequent. Héctor Neris is dealing with the closing duties this 12 months however isn’t a assure to return again in 2025 as his one-year deal has a $9MM membership choice that converts to a participant choice if he makes 60 appearances this 12 months. He’s at present at 42. Mark Leiter Jr. is main the group in holds however he was traded to the Yankees previous to the deadline. Yency Almonte and Porter Hodge are tied for second in that class however Almonte is finished for the 12 months as a result of shoulder surgical procedure. Tyson Miller and Drew Smyly are subsequent on that checklist however Smyly is probably going headed for the open market as his deal has a 2025 mutual choice and people are virtually by no means picked up by each side.