Alzolay did not play in Friday's spring training game against the White Sox due to an illness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay picked up the illness yesterday and was scratched from Friday's game and noted that his schedule will be pushed back by two days. He agreed to a one-year, $2.11 million contract in January after going to arbitration with the Cubs. Alzolav posted a 2-5 record and 22 saves last season while posting a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings.

Alzolay will likely begin the year as the Cubs' closer, though new addition Hector Neris gives manager Craig Counsell a possible alternative for the late innings, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay excelled as Chicago's closer last season, converting 22 of 25 save opportunities and posting a strong 2.67 ERA across 64 innings. However, Neris posted an even better 1.71 ERA over 68.1 innings for Houston in 2023, and he has 89 career saves in 10 MLB seasons. At the very least, the veteran should serve as a solid setup option, and he could emerge as a candidate for saves if Alzolay struggles.

The Cubs and Alzolay avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.11 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a nice little raise for Alzolay, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 28-year-old emerged as the Cubs' closer in 2023, saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings. Provided Chicago doesn't add a closer from outside the organization, Alzolay is in line to serve in that role again in 2024.

The Cubs reinstated Alzolay (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

A strained right forearm sent Alzolay to the injured list Sept. 11, and he will now return for the Cubs' final series of the year as they attempt to secure the final NL Wild Card spot. The 28-year-old righty has been a crucial piece of Chicago's bullpen in 2023, posting a 2.71 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 63 innings while racking up 22 saves. Keegan Thompson was optioned to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move.

Alzolay (forearm) is set to advance to facing live hitters this week, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay already has a few successful bullpen sessions under his belt and is ready to take the next step in his recovery from the mild right forearm strain that has kept him sidelined since Sept. 10. He still has an outside shot of being able to return before the end of the regular season, though the clock is ticking. Julian Merryweather has been drawing the majority of the save chances for the wild-card-hunting Cubs.

Alzolay (forearm) will play catch Saturday after his bullpen session Friday went well, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay will be eligible to return from a forearm strain as soon as Tuesday, and given his steady progress, a return on or around that date would seem to be in play. The Cubs enter play Saturday with a one-game lead for the third and final NL Wild Card spot, so they'll want to have Alzolay available for as much of the final week as possible if he is indeed cleared to return.

Alzolay (forearm) will throw a touch-and-feel bullpen session Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While not a regular bullpen session, Alzolay getting on a mound in any fashion still looks to be a notable step forward. The Cubs' closer is working his way back from a right forearm strain and is still hopeful he can make it back before the end of the regular season. Alzolay is eligible for activation Sept. 26, although he could need a little more time than that even if all goes well.

Alzolay (forearm) threw long toss Tuesday at Wrigley Field, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

On the shelf since Sept. 10 due to a right forearm strain, Alzolay resumed playing catch over the weekend and has now advanced to long-distance throwing. There is still an outside chance that the 28-year-old could return to the Cubs' bullpen before the end of the regular season, but he'll have to move on to mound workouts rather soon. He had tallied 22 saves with a 2.71 ERA and 66:12 K:BB in 63 innings prior to the IL stint.

Alzolay (forearm) played catch Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay hit the injured list Monday with a right forearm strain, an injury that's potentially quite worrisome for a pitcher. The righty, who's saved 22 games for the Cubs this season, certainly isn't out of the woods yet, but the fact that he's already throwing again so soon after the injury is an encouraging sign. Julian Merryweather and Michael Fulmer have each earned a save in Alzolay's absence, but Fulmer is now on the injured list with a forearm strain of his own.

Alzolay was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Sept. 10 with a right forearm strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay was bothered by an unspecified injury earlier this month and was not particularly sharp over his last few outings, and it turns out he is dealing with an issue that will cost him at least a couple weeks of action. The Cubs turned to Julian Merryweather for the save Sunday, so he is seemingly the favorite to work as the closer during Alzolay's absence.