Cubs set to call up top prospect Adbert Alzolay |
CHICAGO — Following the Chicago Cubs' 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, Cubs manager
Joe Maddon announced that top pitching prospect
Adbert Alzolay will be called up to the big leagues ahead of Thursday's home game against the New York Mets. It was somewhat unexpected after starting pitcher
Kyle Hendricks landed on the injured list over the weekend that Alzolay would be promoted, as the Cubs are going with
Tyler Chatwood, who failed as a starter last season, to fill Hendricks' void in the starting rotation for the time being.
Maddon told reporters in his postgame press conference that Alzolay would be promoted to the majors for the first time. In order to make room for him on the roster, the Cubs have designated reliever Tim Collins for assignment. Alzolay, who is 24 years old, has made six Triple-A starts this year, pitching 32 total innings and putting together an ERA of 3.09. Alzolay could potentially replace Chatwood as the fifth starter until Hendricks returns, but, Alzolay is first expected to relieve Chatwood, who is not expected to have a high pitch count to work with in his first start in quite some time, at some point in Thursday's contest.