Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay will endure Tommy John surgical procedure, per supervisor Craig Counsell. Maddie Lee of the Chicago Solar-Occasions relayed the information on X. It was reported final week that the righty could 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 nicely.
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 position to a full-time reduction position. 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 saved 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 seems in hindsight prefer it was an omen of what was to return in 2024. He made 18 appearances to begin 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 following day, they informed 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 obscure replace till right now’s developments.
Now that he’s slated for the worst-case state of affairs of Tommy John surgical procedure, Alzolay’s total 2025 season is in jeopardy. Pitchers normally require 14 months or extra to return again from such a major operation, a timeline that may make it potential he received’t see official sport motion till 2026. He’s presently 29 years previous 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 seemingly wouldn’t get something for that funding besides the precise 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 possibility that converts to a participant possibility if he makes 60 appearances this 12 months. He’s presently at 42. Mark Leiter Jr. is main the staff 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 completed for the 12 months on account of shoulder surgical procedure. Tyson Miller and Drew Smyly are subsequent on that record however Smyly is probably going headed for the open market as his deal has a 2025 mutual possibility and people are virtually by no means picked up by either side.
