Alzolay allowed one run in four innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's loss to the Pirates. He gave up two hits and two walks while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Jose Quintana (lat) returned from the injured list and pitched for the first time since Aug. 30, so the Cubs limited him to just two innings in his start, which opened up the middle innings for Alzolay. The 25-year-old looked good and set a new season high in strikeouts while lowering his ERA to 3.31 in the process. The Cubs don't seem to have an open rotation spot as they head into the postseason, but Alzolay could potentially have some value in a long-relief role.

Alzolay was recalled by the Cubs on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay spent a week and a half at the Cubs' alternate training site, but he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen after Ildemaro Vargas (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Monday. The right-hander should be available out of the bullpen Monday and could provide a relief option Tuesday as starter Jose Quintana (lat) could be on a pitch count.

Alzolay was optioned to the Cubs' alternate training site Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay has struggled in his last two outings, though he still owns a solid 3.65 ERA in 12.1 innings on the year. Rex Brothers was recalled in a corresponding move.

Alzolay was recalled by the Cubs ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Reds, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Jose Quintana (lat) and Tyler Chatwood (forearm) on the shelf, a rotation spot is there for the taking if Alzolay can impress in this outing. The Cubs won't need a fifth starter again until Sept. 22 in Pittsburgh, so if Alzolay struggles, or perhaps even if he doesn't, he will likely be sent back down after this start. He has a 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB in 8.2 innings (three appearances).

The Cubs list Alzolay as their scheduled starter for Thursday's series finale with the Reds, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay struggled in a spot start Saturday in a doubleheader with the Cardinals, giving up two runs on two hits and five walks over 2.2 innings. He was sent to the Cubs' alternate site afterward, but the team will give him at least one more chance to make a positive impression at the big-league level. Because Thursday's game will come less than 10 days after his demotion, the Cubs would likely need to place a player on the injured list in a corresponding move to facilitate Alzolay's return to the 28-man active roster. Chicago's rotation is a bit thin at the moment with both Jose Quintana (lat) and Tyler Chatwood (forearm) on the shelf, so the club could really benefit if Alzolay pitches well. After Thursday, the Cubs wouldn't need a fifth starter again until Sept. 22, so Alzolay could be headed back to the alternate site following the outing versus the Reds.

The Cubs optioned Alzolay to their alternate training site Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago designated Alzolay as its 29th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, with the 25-year-old receiving the starting nod for the first game of the twin bill. After previously giving up an unearned run over five innings in his first start of the season back on Aug. 19 in St. Louis, Alzolay's rematch with the Cardinals didn't go nearly as well, as he lasted only 2.2 innings while giving up two runs on two hits and five walks. Unless the Cubs place a player on the injured list and call up Alzolay in a corresponding move, the decision to demote the right-hander after the doubleheader will make him ineligible to rejoin the big club when a fifth starter is needed again Thursday against the Reds.

Alzolay (0-1) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, as he allowed two runs across 2.2 innings. He gave up two hits and five walks, while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

The five walks really hurt Alzolay and contributed to his quick hook, as he needed 78 pitches to retire just eight batters. The righty was recalled as the team's 29th player for the doubleheader and will likely get sent back to Chicago's alternate training site. He remains an option to make spot starts the rest of the season.

Alzolay will start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay has made one start and one relief appearance this season, allowing just a single unearned run on three hits over six innings of work, striking out eight while walking just two. It's been a much better showing than he had in his 12.1-inning debut last season, where he struggled to a 7.30 ERA and a 15.0 percent walk rate.

The Cubs optioned Alzolay to their alternate training site following Saturday's doubleheader split with the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay served as the 29th man in the twin bill and came on in relief of Alec Mills in the second game of the doubleheader, which the Cubs lost 6-5. He worked a scoreless fourth inning in the appearance, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Alzolay will serve as the Cubs' 29th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay will be available out of the bullpen for Saturday's twin bill but should return to alternate camp following the pair of seven-inning contests. The right-hander started one game for the Cubs this season, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out six.