While Almonte is expected to start the season in the minors, he could be a bullpen option for the Cubs over the summer, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte figures to start the year with Triple-A Iowa. The righty had a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings with Chicago last season before entering free agency in November, but he wound up returning on a minor-league deal. Should he make it back to the majors, Almonte will likely serve in a middle relief role and have limited fantasy appeal.

Almonte (shoulder) agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte had a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings with Chicago last season before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery in July, and he's now back with the organization after he elected free agency in November. It's unclear where the right-hander currently stands in his recovery and rehab, but he was initially expected to return midseason in 2025.

Almonte (shoulder) elected free agency Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte had right shoulder surgery in July and is expected to be sidelined until around midseason of next year. He will do his rehabbing in another organization after declining an outright assignment from the Cubs.

Almonte (shoulder) said Saturday that he hopes to make a full recovery from right labrum surgery in less than 12 months, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

On the shelf since May 11 with a right shoulder strain, Almonte had been treating the injury with rest and rehab but has ultimately decided to get season-ending surgery after he recently sought a second opinion following a setback in the recovery process. A more precise timeline for Almonte's return to game action could come once he undergoes surgery in the coming days, but he's already seemingly preparing to miss time to begin the 2025 campaign. For the time being, Almonte is seemingly targeting a return shortly before the All-Star break next season.

Almonte will undergo surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte was shut down from throwing Wednesday after receiving a second opinion on his strained right shoulder, and he'll now elect to undergo surgery rather than restart his rehab process. A clearer timeline for his recovery will likely emerge once he goes under the knife, but the Cubs are not expecting the 30-year-old righty to return until 2025. He'll finish the 2024 campaign with a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP alongside a 20:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

Almonte will be shut down from throwing after receiving a second opinion on his right shoulder strain Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Craig Counsell noted Wednesday that Almonte "didn't get great news" during his second opinion, and the right-hander will decide whether to resume rehab through a strengthening program or undergo surgery for his strained right shoulder, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports. Before landing on the injured list in May, Almonte registered six holds and one save over 17 outings with a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list June 27, and the 30-year-old could be on the shelf for the rest of the season if he opts for surgery.

Almonte (shoulder) will get a second opinion next week, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte sustained a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and will receive a second opinion in the coming days. The 30-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday and can be considered out indefinitely.

The Cubs transferred Almonte (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte suffered a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain this past week. He remains without an updated return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL suggests the 30-year-old righty isn't expected back relatively soon. The Cubs signed Vinny Nittoli to an MLB deal Thursday to fill the open spot on the 40-man roster.

Almonte (shoulder) suffered a setback in his ramp-up from a strained right shoulder, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Almonte and the Cubs have been forced to "press pause" on his recovery according to manager Craig Counsell. The team is expected to seek another opinion on the right-hander's shoulder and his status moving forward appears to be up in the air for the time being.

Almonte (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

It appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since going down with a right shoulder strain in early May. Almonte should be ready for a rehab assignment before long and is tracking toward a return before the end of the month.