Alzolay (1-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Miami. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs closer entered with two outs in the eighth inning and walked a batter before he stranded the bases loaded, but a single and two-run homer in the ninth put Miami ahead 3-2. It's the second straight outing with a blown save for Alzolay, who is now 3-for-7 in save chances on the season. He's given up five runs with a 9:4 K:BB across 10 innings. Hector Neris picked up the save in Game 2 and could see more chances in the ninth inning if Alzolay's struggles persist.

Alzolay blew the save Tuesday against Arizona, allowing one run on one hit and two walks across one inning. He didn't generate a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay toed the rubber with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and surrendered the game-tying home run to Ketel Marte. Following the long ball, Alzolay dished out back-to-back walks but avoided disaster by retiring Christian Walker to end the inning. He's converted on three of his six save opportunities this season. However, he's only allowed three runs in 8.2 innings -- all solo homers -- and still has a firm grip on ninth-inning duties.

Alzolay worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning and record the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay allowed a run and blew a save in his first appearance of the season, but he's been pretty locked in since then, recording a 1.35 ERA and striking out nine across 6.2 innings. He's also converted three saves in that time, and the righty should stay slotted in as Chicago's closer, with Hector Neris working in a setup role.

Alzolay earned a save against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay entered in the ninth frame staked to a three-run lead. He surrendered a two-out single but nothing more to pick up his second save this season. Alzolay has also blown two save opportunities, but he's pitched pretty well overall with a 2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings.

Alzolay (1-1) was tagged with a blown save and a loss against the Padres on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago built what looked to be an 8-0 lead by the midpoint of the fourth inning, but San Diego came storming back with seven runs in the sixth. The Cubs' bullpen was able to hold onto the one-run lead until the eighth, and Alzolay was brought in with one out and one runner on base in that frame, possibly to try to complete a multi-inning save. He struck out Xander Bogaerts to begin his outing before surrendering a two-run homer to Fernando Tatis that provided the winning margin for San Diego. The blown save was the second of the season for Alzolay, who also failed to convert a save chance Opening Day.

Alzolay earned the save in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers, working around two hits in a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay allowed back-to-back singles to Freddie Freeman and Will Smith to open the ninth, but he'd rebound to set down the next three batters, preserving a 9-7 lead to grab his first save of the year. After allowing a run in his first appearance this season, Alzolay's responded with three scoreless outings, striking out four in that span. He should remain the primary closing option in Chicago after he converted 22 of 25 save chances last year while posting a career-best 2.67 ERA over 64 innings.

Alzolay pitched a scoreless ninth inning to secure the save in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Rockies. He allowed a hit and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

It didn't look like Alzolay would be needed for a save opportunity when the Cubs were up 8-2, but the Rockies rallied to tighten things up. The righty allowed a leadoff hit before settling in to secure his first save of the season. Alzolay blew his first save chance of the year back on Opening Day, though he's logged two scoreless appearances since then with four strikeouts. The 29-year-old should remain locked in as Chicago's closer moving forward.

Alzolay allowed a run on a hit and a walk to blow the save in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning staked to a 3-2 lead but promptly allowed a tying home run to pinch hitter Travis Jankowski. He walked another hitter before escaping the frame. Alzolay only blew three saves in 25 opportunities last season and posted a strong 2.67 ERA, so he should have some leeway in the early going. However, veteran Hector Neris is now on the roster, and he could push Alzolay for closing duties at some point this year.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell isn't ready to hand out defined roles for Alzolay or any other member of the bullpen, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Counsell said Thursday that "every bullpen has to evolve" and that the role of his relieves is simple "to get outs." Alzolay certainly seems likely to get first dibs after saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings for the Cubs last season. However, Hector Neris is also a candidate to be in the mix, along with Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter. Counsell has often had go-to closers during his time with the Brewers and one might very well emerge sooner rather than later with the Cubs, but for now there's some uncertainty.

Alzolay (illness) struck out one and worked around a base hit in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 5-3 win over the Guardians in Cactus League play.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay had been in line to make his second appearance of spring training last Friday, but the Cubs scratched him from the pitching schedule after he came down with the illness. The right-hander quickly overcame the ailment, clearing up any lingering concern about his status heading into Opening Day. Though Alzolay paced the Cubs with 22 saves in 2023, he could face competition for save chances from the likes of Hector Neris, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Cubs in January.