Adbert Alzolay Being Promoted, Will Back Tyler Chatwood Thursday

Joe Maddon said after Wednesday’s win over the White Sox that top pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay would be recalled Thursday to back Tyler Chatwood out of the bullpen. While it’s not a full-fledged start, it sounds as though the Cubs might be planning to use Chatwood and Alzolay in a modified piggyback deal.

https://twitter.com/mlbastian/status/1141553646510968832?s=21

In a corresponding move, lefty Tim Collins was DFA’d to clear the way for Alzolay on the roster.

With Kyle Hendricks on the IL due to a shoulder impingement, the Cubs are likely to need a fill-in next week as well. That could mean a legit start for Alzolay as a temporary fifth starter or Maddon might roll with a six-man rotation for a while. Regardless, it looks as if we can ready the hype machine for a debut Thursday night against the Mets.

Alzolay has dominated over his last several starts for Triple-A Iowa, hitting upper 90’s with the fastball and spinning some wicked breaking stuff. He’s got a chance to open some eyes, so gird your loins appropriately.