Cubs manager David Ross said Alzolay is available to pitch Wednesday versus the Giants after overcoming an undisclosed minor injury, Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross declined to offer any specifics on Alzolay's injury, but whatever it was appears to have abated enough for the closer to be ready to pitch. "When guys are dealing with stuff, you've just got to give a little bit of a rest," Ross said. "Sometimes, four days is better than 15."

Alzolay (2-5) blew his third save of the season and took the loss in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds, giving up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander's rough outing was kicked off by a Nick Martini solo shot. Alzolay has blown his last two save chances, and since the beginning of August he has a 4.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings. The first-year closer likely isn't in any danger of losing his job just yet, but with the Cubs in a dogfight to secure a playoff spot, manager David Ross may not have the luxury of patience. Mark Leiter (2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18:4 K:BB in 13 IP over the last month) or Julian Merryweather (1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 21:5 K:BB in 15 IP during that stretch) could get looks in the ninth if Alzolay continues to fade.

Alzolay (2-4) worked around a walk and a hit batter to toss 1.1 scoreless innings and earn the win Wednesday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs turned to Alzolay with the bases loaded and two out in the top of the eighth inning. The righty proceeded to hit Mark Canha, which allowed Milwaukee to tie the game at 2-2 and saddled Alzolay with just his second blown save this season. However, Chicago scored in the bottom half of the frame, and Alzolay pitched a clean ninth to earn the win. The Cubs' closer has pitched each of the last two days, but he will get to rest Thursday during a team off day, so he should be ready if needed Friday against the Reds.

Alzolay retired all three batters he faced to record the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay was dominant as he shut down Milwaukee on 11 pitches, giving the Cubs an important win against the division-leading Brewers. The righty now has 22 saves in 23 chances this season, and he's converted his last 18 opportunities in a row. After working mostly as a starter earlier in his career, Alzolay has developed into an outstanding reliever, and he could be settling in as Chicago's closer for the foreseeable future given his strong play this year.

Alzolay struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Daniel Palencia was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the ninth inning, but he walked two while collecting two outs. With Bryan Reynolds up to bat, manager David Ross tasked Alzolay with ending the threat. This was Alzolay's 21st save in 22 chances this season, and he's converted 17 chances in a row. For the season, he's maintained a 2.64 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB over 58 innings.

Alzolay allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning but managed to secure the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Pittsburgh scored their automatic runner following a ground out and a sacrifice fly, but Alzolay comfortably got through the 10th inning on 13 pitches. He's up to 20 saves, including one in each of the last two days. Alzolay has yet to pitch three days in a row this season, so he probably won't be available if the Cubs have a save opportunity Friday.

Alzolay pitched around a hit and a walk to record a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save Wednesday against the Tigers. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay was a little shaky for the second straight appearance, though this time he kept the opponent off the board and preserved Chicago's 6-4 win. The righty now has 19 saves this season in 20 chances, to go along with a solid 2.70 ERA. Alzolay has done more than enough to hold onto the closer job the rest of the way as the Cubs fight for a playoff spot.

Alzolay allowed two runs on two hits but managed to secure the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay got the benefit of working with a three-run lead but he wasn't particularly sharp, allowing the two hits and also hitting a batter. The righty was still able to escape with his 18th save in 19 chances, and his ERA remains a tidy 2.75. Alzolay was pitching in back-to-back games, so fatigue could have been a factor. He should still have a strong hold on the closer role in Chicago due to his performance so far this season.

Alzolay picked up the save Saturday against the Royals, allowing one hit while striking out one batter over a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay allowed a one-out single to MJ Melendez after being brought in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth but needed just five pitches to get through the final two batters and secure his 17th save. The 28-year-old right-hander has now converted his last 13 save opportunities, with his lone blown save coming back on July 4. He's also issued only two walks since the start of July.

Alzolay picked up the save Saturday against the Blue Jays, striking out one over a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Alzolay entered the contest in the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead and got Brandon Belt to go down on strikes in the opening at-bat. The right-handed reliever then made short work of the next two batters to complete a perfect inning and log his 16th save of the season. Alzolay has now converted each of his last 12 save attempts, with his only blown save coming back on July 4 against the Brewers. He's also issued just one walk over his last 11 appearances (spanning 11.2 innings).