Alzolay (side) is scheduled to resume throwing later in the week, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay has been shut down for a couple of weeks due to a side issue, but he's finally ready to return to a throwing program. The plan is for the youngster to play light catch either Thursday or Friday before ramping things up from there. At this point, it's unclear if Alzolay will be ready for the start of the season. He's expected to open the year with Triple-A Iowa.

Alzolay (side) will be two weeks behind other pitchers during spring training, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay apparently felt something in his side while throwing last week, and seeing as his 2018 season was cut short due to a lat strain, the Cubs will proceed extra cautiously with the young right-hander. Alzolay figures to open the season back with Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across eight starts (39.2 innings) before getting hurt last season.

Alzolay will be out the remainder of the 2018 season due to the Grade 1 lat strain he suffered Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay will not require any sort of surgical procedure, but general manager Jed Hoyer said that the because of the timing of this injury the organization doesn't want to put further risk on a young pitcher trying to rush him back into action. The team will re-evaluate his status once he's healthy -- likely in a month or so -- and then keep him sidelined until the fall, during which he is expected to pitch in the Arizona Fall League if all goes according to plan.

Alzolay was diagnosed with a Grade 1 lat strain Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay suffered the injury during his start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. The 23-year-old prospect had thrown four perfect innings before exiting with the injury. He'll be reevaluated in a few days, after which a potential timetable for his return will emerge.

Alzolay gave up five runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings Thursday to take the loss for Triple-A Iowa. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay has struggled a bit over his past four starts, allowing 17 earned runs in 18.2 innings, and his ERA has climbed from 2.12 to 5.30 in that stretch. The 23-year-old was a potential option for the Cubs in a doubleheader this past Saturday, but the team will likely let their top pitching prospect get more work at Triple-A and try to iron things out before any potential call-up.

Alzolay, who is starting Sunday for Triple-A Iowa, could be in line to start for the Cubs as part of a doubleheader Saturday in Cincinnati, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There is no indication at this point that the Cubs are actually leaning this way, but Alzolay certainly is pitching well enough to earn the opportunity. Through four starts in Iowa, the 23-year-old is 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. More details on Chicago's plans for the doubleheader should emerge later in the week, but even if Alzolay doesn't get the call, he could be an option to bolster the team's bullpen at some point this summer.

Alzolay struck out six and walked two in seven innings of one-hit ball Monday for Triple-A Iowa to record the win over Omaha.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs purposefully delayed Alzolay's start to the minor-league season in order to limit his innings count, and the decision has seemingly paid dividends based on how dominant the 23-year-old has looked over his first three outings. Alzolay has turned in a shiny 2.12 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in those contests, with Monday's start representing his best to date. Alzolay isn't expected to receive an extended look as a starter with the Cubs this season if all of the team's current rotation members stay healthy and perform up to expectations, but the right-hander could make a major impact out of the bullpen in the second half. His fastball already routinely sits in the mid-90s as a starter, making it conceivable that Alzolay might pick up a couple ticks of velocity while making max-effort relief appearances.

Alzolay will make his 2018 debut for Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay was optioned to Double-A Tennessee in early March but has since been building his arm strength to a starter's workload in extended spring training. The 23-year-old has only 32.2 innings at the Double-A level, so the level of competition will certainly be a step up for one of the Cubs' top prospects. The right-hander could see the major-league roster in 2018 if he showcases himself well at Triple-A, but that seems an unlikely possibility until later this summer.

Alzolay is building up his arm strength in extended spring training and should head to Triple-A Iowa once he's ready to start, MLB.com's Jim Callis reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to the report, Alzolay is healthy, he's just not ready to take on a starter's workload. He is already on the 40-man roster and could be an option in the big-league bullpen or rotation later this summer if he stays healthy.

The Cubs assigned Alzolay to Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay is one of the Cubs' top prospects, but he's only 23 and has just 32.2 innings under his belt at Double-A. The team will want to see him a bit more at that level, but a strong performance could earn him a promotion to Triple-A at some point this season.