Chicago Cubs: Adbert Alzolay’s potential impact on 2019 pitching staff

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Wide-ranging issues with pitching

After signing a lucrative contract in free agency, Yu Darvish wound up making just eight starts with the Cubs. The 32-year-old posted a 4.95 ERA before going down in May with an elbow injury, never to return to the active roster.

Closer Brandon Morrow went down in July with a biceps injury and never returned, and setup man Pedro Strop missed most of September with a hamstring injury.

Of course, this list does not include Drew Smyly, who the Cubs signed last offseason. Recovering from Tommy John Surgery, Smyly never pitched for the Cubs before they traded him to the Rangers in November.

The Cubs traded Smyly to create cap space to retain Cole Hamels and his $20 million team option. And while we’re on the topic of money, let’s not forget about how Tyler Chatwood struggled to help the Cubs in any way, shape or form last season.