Cubs Might Be Calling Up Their Hottest Pitching Prospect Soon

Before Saturday’s thrilling 2-1 win over the Dodgers, the Cubs announced that Kyle Hendricks was being placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. It doesn’t seem serious, but Hendricks will be out for 10 days. So, with Hendricks’ brief departure from the starting rotation the Cubs might just call up their hottest pitching prospect, […]

Before Saturday’s thrilling 2-1 win over the Dodgers, the Cubs announced that Kyle Hendricks was being placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation.

It doesn’t seem serious, but Hendricks will be out for 10 days.

The #Cubs today placed RHP Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation and recalled RHP Rowan Wick from @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/JQf039ESOG

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 15, 2019

Kyle Hendricks doesn’t sound too concerned, but he didn’t feel right last night at Dodger Stadium and the Cubs want him to rest his right shoulder: “If it was a different point in the year, we could do different things, but it just makes sense to take the time now.”

— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) June 15, 2019

So, with Hendricks’ brief departure from the starting rotation the Cubs might just call up their hottest pitching prospect, right-hander Adbert Alzolay.

The 24-year-old starting pitcher had a breakout 2017 season and gained praise from Theo Epstein as a future star pitcher in the Cubs rotation. Unfortunately, Alzolay had an injury that delayed the beginning of his 2018 season and then after only eight starts he was shut down with a lat injury.

After once again battling through an injury in spring training, Alzolay is back and proving why he was once the best prospect in the Cubs minor league system. After making his 2019 debut in Myrtle Beach, Alzolay has made six starts at Triple-A and has a 3.09 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 32 innings. He’s struck out 46, while only walking 6.

In his last five starts, the righty has only allowed six earned runs combined, issuing just three walks in 28 innings.

Another solid outing by Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolay for Triple-A Iowa tonight: 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 9 K. Via @voiceofcohen, Alzolay has a 1.93 ERA with 40 K and 3 BB over his last five starts (28 IP).

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 15, 2019

Amazing, but is he coming up? Epstein kind of hinted at that possibility, even if it is just for a couple spot starts in place of Hendricks.

The Cubs haven’t made a final decision about who will replace Kyle Hendricks in the rotation and when that will take place. But Theo Epstein said the team had already been thinking about giving top prospect Adbert Alzolay a spot start or two to help his transition to the majors.

— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) June 15, 2019

Theo & Maddon both said they are still discussing who will take Hendricks’ spot in rotation. Chatwood & Montgomery are options, but Theo also spoke at length about prospect Adbert Alzolay. Even before this setback, Cubs were discussing how they could get him a spot start or two.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 15, 2019

Do it, Theo, do it.

As of now, right-hander Rowan Wick is available in the Cubs bullpen, as he was called up for Hendricks on Saturday. He’s been great in Iowa this year, recording a 2.30 ERA in 19 relief appearances over 27.1 innings.

So, Wick will stay up with the Cubs for the next few days and then hopefully Alzolay will be called up to make his MLB debut against the Mets.