First Cubs roster casualty expected to be injured fan-favorite reliever

After more than a decade in the organization, it appears we've reached the end of the road when it comes to Adbert Alzolay and the Chicago Cubs. A report suggests he'll be among the roster casualties on Tuesday as the front office looks to trim the 40-man roster and protect key prospects from the Rule 5 Draft.

Alzolay, 29, is likely to miss all of next season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. A disastrous start to the 2024 campaign preceded the injury and it appears Jed Hoyer isn't willing to play the waiting game and see if he can recapture his dominant form from 2023 down the road.

A former top pitching prospect, Alzolay never panned out as a starter but seemed to come into his own in 2023 at the back end of the Cubs bullpen. He made 58 appearances, finishing out 38 contests en route to a sparkling 5.15 K/BB ratio and 2.67 ERA/3.07 FIP. Heading into this year, the widespread belief was he'd handle the ninth-inning duties under new manager Craig Counsell.

However, things went sideways almost immediately for Alzolay. He blew three saves in his first nine appearances and looked like a shell of the shutdown presence he was the year prior. By early May, he hit the IL and, despite his best efforts, he was unable to avoid going under the knife and his season ended after just 18 largely ineffective appearances.

There are a few ways things could play out in the coming days: Chicago could try to trade him, it could place him on waivers, or simply non-tender him ahead of Friday's tender deadline. Regardless, the move shows Hoyer isn't willing to have him hold down a 40-man spot all winter long only to hope he can return in 2026 and be effective. The fact Alzolay is projected to hit free agency following the 2026 season (meaning the Cubs, at most, could get one more season out of him) no doubt factored into the decision, as well.