Injured Cubs Pitcher Plans: Steele, Thompson, Alzolay

This area of pitching on the Chicago Cubs has evolved so much over the past 12 months that it can be easy to forget that, at this time last year, we almost never mentioned Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson, or Adbert Alzolay in isolation. The trio was far more routinely discussed together as guys who could compete for a starting job the following season, could be depth starting options as necessary, and/or could serve as a multi-inning relief weapon. It was pretty hard to separate the group as of last year, and since they all could fill the same kinds of roles, it made sense to discuss them together.

Obviously things shifted since then, with Alzolay hitting the IL in Spring Training with a serious lat strain, Steele breaking out quickly into a full-time starting role, and Thompson seeing a mix of success when starting and also in multi-inning relief. Their future roles will once again be a topic for offseason discussion, with Steele cemented into the rotation (in my opinion), Thompson valuable in both roles depending on how the offseason shakes out, and Alzolay a total wild card.

In the meantime, all three pitchers find themselves together once again, albeit not where any of them would want to be: they’re all on the Injured List.

The better news, though, is that all could be back with the big league Cubs sometime this month, but the long-term focus is dictating the planning, rather than feeling any kind of rush, since Steele and Thompson are already over previous career innings highs, and Alzolay’s situation is just about getting to full health.

Cubs President Jed Hoyer spoke to those situations this week, and you can read his comments here at NBC and here at the Tribune, among other places.

On Steele and Thompson, each on the IL with lower-back issues, Hoyer is not ready to say their seasons are over, but he also preaches caution.

“It’s important that they’re healthy going into the offseason,” Hoyer said of the two, per NBC. “In terms of pitching more, that’s totally health-related. They’ve both had really good seasons, and we’d love to have them come back, but we’re not going to force it ….

“If it feels like it’s natural and easy that they can ramp back up and get back to the level they were pitching at, we’ll do it. But we’re not going to force it,” Hoyer continued. “If there’s any trepidation at all, the focus has got to be getting those guys into the offseason healthy and ready to start their offseason conditioning. Neither is an injury we’re concerned about at all. But we don’t want to ramp them up too quickly and throw them out there for no reason. We can just have them go into the offseason healthy.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t have much of an issue if either or both were shut down from here, again, because it’s already been such a long and successful season for them as developing pitchers. I know the Cubs hadn’t explicitly (publicly) planned to shut down Steele or Thompson, and you don’t want an “injury” to be the reason their season ends early, but that’s kind of just semantics. It was already at least a CONSIDERATION to ramp down their usage. It had to be.

I’m sure each guy wants to come back this year for at least another outing or three, but it’s no real concern if they don’t.

Speaking of which, if the two do not come back, then there will be more innings to be covered internally, not only by a guy like Wade Miley (who just returned from the IL) or by a guy like Hayden Wesneski (a prospect call-up), but also by a guy like Adbert Alzolay (a guy returning from the IL who also still has a bit of a prospect-y feel to him, in terms of experience).

Alzolay made his latest rehab start last night for the Iowa Cubs, going 3.0 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and no walks, while striking out 2. He threw 37 pitches, which seems to be about as stretched out as the Cubs are going to get him this year (which is fine!). The outing was Alzolay’s fourth rehab appearance in total, and I would think he’s close to a decision point for the Cubs.

To that end, Hoyer wasn’t tipping his hand about Alzolay’s return to the big leagues, but I did find his comments to the Tribune interesting.

“We’ll know a lot more after (Tuesday’s outing), so we can talk about that tomorrow.”

Any chance the Cubs were viewing it as, potentially, Alzolay’s final rehab outing before returning to the big league team *IF* he felt OK throughout the appearance and the next day? Sure seems possible.

You’d love to get Alzolay back for a few weeks’ worth of multi-inning appearances, letting him show the organization – and himself – that he’s totally healthy and effective in advance of the offseason. It would be useful information for the Cubs to have, but also probably useful in ensuring Alzolay can have a normal offseason program and ramp-up to Spring Training next year.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks open their season as -231 favorites in a home matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners begin their season as -162 favorites in a home tilt against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo starts for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for the contest.Mariners...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Shane Bieber gets the starting nod for Cleveland while Alex Wood...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Damian Lillard must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, starting at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for three-pointers...

Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo make just a single 3-pointer when the Milwaukee Bucks play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his over/under for the game.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's...

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, CJ McCollum must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksCJ McCollum's over/under for three-pointers in...

Devils vs. Sabres Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, March 29, 2024

The bookmakers are expecting a close game between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres when they clash on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, with the Devils at -115 on the moneyline, and the Sabres at -105.Devils vs. Sabres Favorite,...

Guardians vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cleveland Guardians (0-0) and the Oakland Athletics (0-0) match up on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Opening Day. First pitch is at 10:07 PM ET.The Guardians will give the nod to Shane Bieber versus the Athletics and Alex...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Boston Red Sox (0-0) visit the Seattle Mariners (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Mariners will give the nod to Luis Castillo against the Red Sox and Brayan Bello.Mariners vs. Red Sox Pitcher...

more cubs news