Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay will undergo Tommy John surgery originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Puppies reliever Adbert Alzolay will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2024 season and putting his 2025 campaign in jeopardy with extended rehabilitation, the team announced.
There is no timetable for Alzolay’s return. Coach Craig Counsell responded “Long” when asked about his schedule. He will not launch in 2024 and his chances of launching in 2025 are not yet known. But UCL reconstructive surgery is a long, uphill battle, usually taking 12 to 14 months to recover.
“He certainly made a big effort to come back and put a lot of effort into trying to pitch this year,” Counsell said. “In the end, he tried and it wasn’t possible. He’s got to fix this and get on the rehab path and get strong and ready to pitch again.”
Initially, Alzolay was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The news gave him and the Cubs hope of avoiding surgery. Alzolay showed progress after a few rehab games with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), but a rehab outing at Triple-A Iowa forced them to reconsider.
Alzolay has been on the injured list since mid-May. He pitched against the Pirates on May 12 before going on the injured list. He last pitched on July 27 before realizing his injury was not healing well between starts.
In 18 games with the Cubs in the major leagues this season, Alzolay had a 4.67 ERA in 17.1 innings. He finished 11 games for North Side, making four saves along the way. He struck out 13 batters while walking six and held a 1.442 WHIP.
