Alzolay (0-1) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks across five innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay had a so-so 2021 debut and took the loss, though Chicago bats only mustered one hit and no runs, so the righty had zero margin for error. Alzolay won the fifth starter role coming out of spring training, which pushed Alec Mills into the bullpen for now. However, manager David Ross is likely to use both pitchers as starters throughout the season in an effort to manage workloads. Alzolay is slated to take the hill again Monday in a repeat matchup with Milwaukee, this time on the road.

Alzolay has beaten out Alec Mills to be the Cubs' fifth starter, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that Alzolay is opening in the rotation doesn't mean he'll stick there all year, as the Cubs have talked about rotation pitchers through the final couple rotation spots to manage their innings. Still, it's a very positive sign with regards to how important the team believes him to be this season. Alzolay flashed potential in 21.1 innings last season, striking out 33.3 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.95 ERA, but he also walked batters at a 14.9 percent clip. He'll have to improve his command if he's to live up to his potential, but he's a good bet to help fantasy teams with a fair number of strikeouts even if his ERA and WHIP aren't great.

Alzolay will likely be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster following a handful of moves by the team Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brad Wieck, Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill were all sent to the minors, so Alzolay should be able to make the team, though it's unclear what his role will be. Bastian notes that Alzolay and Alec Mills could essentially split the fifth starter role, with the two working in tandem and keeping workloads more limited. That type of arrangement curbs the fantasy appeal of both players, at least until one of them potentially steps forward and grabs the rotation spot outright. Alzolay does also have a fourth minor-league option this year, an MLB arbitrator determined recently, so he could be sent down at some point even if he begins the year in the majors.

Alzolay is a candidate to being the regular season at the Cubs' alternate training site, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team learned on Tuesday that it will have a fourth option year on Alzolay, meaning he can be moved to the minors or the alternate site without passing through waivers. If Alzolay starts at the alternate site, it gives the Cubs an easy way to manage the 26-year-old's innings this year. Alzolay hasn't topped 100 innings in a season since 2017, so it makes sense that the organization would build him up carefully. From a fantasy standpoint, Alzolay might be a more interesting option later in the season if he's been able to secure a more prominent role.

Alzolay will have a fourth minor-league option for 2021, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old had a 2.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 21.1 innings (six appearances) during the shortened 2020 campaign, but an arbitrator ruled it isn't enough to use up one of the right-hander's minor-league options. Alzolay was essentially guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot without the option year, but he can now be optioned to the minors without being subjected to waivers. Regardless of whether he opens the season in the minors, Alzolay should have a role for Chicago at some point this season.

The Cubs are awaiting word from the league on whether they'll have a fourth minor-league option on Alzolay for the upcoming season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The issue comes down to how the shortened 2020 season will be treated for purposes of options. If the Cubs do have another option year with Alzolay, the righty could be sent to the alternate training site to start the year in an effort to manage his innings. He should still figure into the team's rotation plans for 2021 either way, as he posted a solid 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts) last season.

Alzolay pitched a scoreless inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay is competing for a rotation spot this spring, and he followed staff ace Kyle Hendricks, who pitched the Cactus League opener Monday. Despite being second out the gates in the exhibition slate, Alzolay will likely slot in behind the likes of Zach Davies, Jake Arrieta and Alec Mills during the regular season. Veteran Trevor Williams is also in the mix for a back-end spot.

Alzolay is vying for an open rotation spot with the Cubs this spring, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood are all gone, and Zach Davies and Jake Arrieta have been added to the mix. Behind those two additions and returning starters Kyle Hendricks and Alec Mills, the Cubs seem to have a wide open fifth spot, and Alzolay may emerge as the favorite. He looked good in limited opportunities last season, posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts). The 25-year-old had some decent prospect buzz as he moved up in Chicago's system, so the organization could be inclined to give him a shot.

Alzolay (1-1) pitched five innings of one-run ball to earn the win Sunday against the White Sox. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs almost let Alzolay's first win of the season slip away, as a 7-1 lead when the righty left the game finished as a narrow 10-8 win. It was still a great effort for Alzolay, who finishes the regular season with a 2.95 ERA and having allowed just two earned runs across his last nine innings. The 25-year-old seems unlikely to crack Chicago's postseason rotation, at least in the first round series against Miami beginning on Wednesday, but he figures to operate as an important long reliever out of the bullpen.

Alzolay will start Sunday against the White Sox, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs didn't seem to have a rotation spot open for Alzolay, but they'll move Jose Quintana, who's still building up his pitch count following a lat injury, to the bullpen for the final few days of the year. Alzolay has made three starts and two relief appearances this season, posting a 3.31 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.