MESA, Ariz. — Right-hander Adbert Alzolay figured to play an important role on the Chicago Cubs pitching staff, whether in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
It’s uncertain, however, when Alzolay will next throw a pitch for the Cubs. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer revealed Monday that Alzolay is experiencing right shoulder tightness and the Cubs are trying to determine the extent of the issue.
Hoyer expects Alzolay to start the season on the injured list and, notably, doesn’t believe it will be a minimum 15-day stint.
“We’re still trying to get to the bottom of a lot of injuries right now or just a lot of player fitness, meeting players and getting a sense of where they are,” Hoyer said. “Guys are in various stages in fitness right now.”
Outfielder Ian Happ might not be on the field much early in camp after he had surgery on his right throwing elbow in February to clean up loose bodies. Hoyer said Happ is “very confident” he will be ready by opening day April 7.
The elbow doesn’t bother the switch-hitting Happ when swinging a bat, Hoyer said. Happ was seen Saturday working with Cubs head trainer PJ Mainville on the agility field. And during batting practice Sunday, Happ shagged fly balls in center field but lightly tossed them in, sometimes underhanded.
The Cubs won’t rush Happ to be ready for the start of the season. The designated hitter spot gives them an option if he can’t play in the field at the onset.
“He wants to push the envelope,” manager David Ross said. “He’s smart. He’s a veteran, he’s been around a little bit. He knows his body. ... There’s a lot of confidence that in some form or fashion, he’ll be ready for opening day.”
Also on the injury front, infielder David Bote continues to work back after left shoulder surgery in late October that will sideline him at least through April, with Hoyer saying, “we’ll see” beyond that. The initial timeline called for a six-month rehab process.
The Cubs have the outfield depth to cover a short-term recovery by Happ. He is one of nine outfielders on the 40-man roster, including five others with big-league experience.
Alzolay’s injury is far more concerning, particularly because the Cubs still are assessing the situation. That Hoyer already anticipates an IL stint beyond the minimum is troubling.
“Anytime you lose someone it’s terrible, but a guy like Adbert, it’s big for sure,” right-hander Kyle Hendricks said after throwing his first live batting practice Monday. “He’s a big part of what we do. I was so excited, just the development of what he did last year, I was excited for the year he was going to have.
“I know whenever he’s healthy and he’s back, he’ll be himself again, so I’m not worried.”
Alzolay was expected to be in the mix with left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Keegan Thompson to win a rotation spot or be utilized as a multi-inning weapon like the trio was last year. The Cubs already needed to add more pitching depth; Alzolay’s absence makes that a bigger priority.
“Having versatile guys that can start, throw in the pen, throw one inning, throw three innings in the bullpen is great,” Hoyer said. “But we haven’t really sat down and talked specifically about roles. It is too early to do that with the uncertainty of the roster.”
