Cubs Closer Plays Catch

Chicago Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay played catch on Saturday in Arizona, a small step in his recovery from a right forearm strain.

His session was reported by several outlets, including the Chicago Tribune.

The Cubs put the 28-year-old on the 15-day injured list on Monday, retroactive to Sunday, with the injury, which means he’s not eligible to return until at least Sept. 25.

But, with Alzolay playing catch, he’s taking the first step back to a potential on-time activation.

Before the injury, he was having a quality season as the backstop to the Cubs’ bullpen. He has a 2.71 ERA with 22 saves in 63 innings and 57 games.

He’s been reliable for the Cubs most of the season. He heads to the injured list with a 2.71 ERA in 63 innings (57 games) and 22 saves. He also has 66 strikeouts and 12 walks while sporting a 2-5 record.

At one time he was a starter for the Cubs, going 5-13 in 2021 in 29 games (21 starts). But, he only pitched six games for the Cubs in 2022, thanks to an injury that kept him out for most of the season.

Oddly, that moved him from becoming a potential starter to a successful closer in his first full season on the job.

Alzolay recoded his last save on Aug. 29 against Milwaukee. Since then, three other Cubs have recorded one save — Keegan Thompson, Julian Merryweather and Michael Fulmer, the last of which was put on the injured list on Saturday.

The Cubs called up Marcus Stroman from the injured list on Friday and he made his first appearance in a game in more than a month, throwing two scoreless innings in a 6-4 loss. The Cubs intend to work the former starter out of the bullpen for now.

It’s likely Alzolay won’t go on a traditional rehab assignment when he’s ready as most minor league teams will be done, or close to done, when he is eligible to return.