Devastating Adbert Alzolay injury update adds major need to Cubs' 2025 bullpen

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell seemed to be preparing the team's fanbase for bad news regarding the status of Adbert Alzolay when he revealed last week that the former closer would need surgery before returning to the Major Leagues.

While Counsell did not have an update at the time regarding the surgery that Alzolay needed, the Cubs' manager provided clarity on Wednesday prior to the team's series finale against the Minnesota Twins.

In speaking with reporters, Counsell revealed that Alzolay will be undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The typical recovery time from Tommy John surgery is approximately 14 months. Meaning there is a possibility, if not a likelihood, that Alzolay will miss the entire 2025 season.

It's a disappointing end to a season where Alzolay entered as the anchor in the bullpen. Alzolay struggled from the start of the season and never was able to recover as he posted a 4.67 ERA through 18 appearances. Even before the injury, Alzolay was relegated to mop-up duty as he lost the closer spot to veteran Hector Neris.

What becomes irritating with the update on Alzolay is that the fear of an imminent Tommy John surgery has been surrounding the Cubs' reliever since last season. Alzolay was dealing with a forearm strain at the end of the 2023 season, where a lot of the struggles Cubs fans saw then were the same they saw at the start of this season.

Even more frustrating is the fact that Alzolay's last appearance at the Major League level was May 12. Despite initial reports at the beginning of June that the Cubs feared Alzolay would be out for the rest of the season, the team was still trying to bring back the closer this season instead. It seems as if the Cubs were delaying the inevitable for as long as they could but now, in August, Alzolay is headed for Tommy John surgery and likely out next season.

After the trade of Mark Leiter Jr. and now with Alzolay sidelined, the Cubs will need to prioritize the bullpen this offseason. While it would have been foolish to count on Alzolay as a reliable relief pitcher in the bullpen next season, his injury takes away from the depth that the Cubs will have. The Cubs seem to be lacking experience in the bullpen and if that is not addressed this offseason, the bullpen could once again be the problem in 2025.