8 months agoChicago Cubs right-hander
Adbert Alzolay (forearm) has been cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Friday. Meanwhile, right-hander
Julian Merryweather (rib) is planning to make his fourth minor-league rehab appearance on Friday for Triple-A Iowa. If all goes well, manager Craig Counsell said that Merryweather will be activated from the injured list by next weekend "at the latest." Alzolay obviously won't be back as soon as Merryweather, but he's making progress after suffering a right flexor strain in mid-May. Both relievers should return to high-leverage, late-inning bullpen roles in Chicago when they are activated, with Alzolay potentially taking over closing duties from
Hector Neris.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
9 months agoChicago Cubs right-handed reliever
Adbert Alzolay (forearm) threw 30 pitches in his bullpen session on Tuesday and checked out well. Meanwhile, reliever
Julian Merryweather (ribs) threw 11 pitches in an inning of work in a minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday night. Both pitchers are making progress but aren't going to be an option to return to Chicago's bullpen until after next week's All-Star break. Alzolay had a career-high 22 saves in 2023 but went 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA, four saves and a 1.44 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list with a flexor strain in mid-May. Merryweather made just four appearances for the Cubs before suffering a rib stress fracture. When they return, they could both be options for saves in Chicago, along with veteran
Hector Neris.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Watch Marquee - Taylor McGregor
9 months agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that relievers
Julian Merryweather (ribs) and
Mark Leiter Jr. (forearm) would be activated next week and rejoin the club. Counsell said that both Merryweather and Leiter threw live batting practice sessions on Saturday, which went well. Merryweather is scheduled to report to Single-A South Bend on Sunday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. It is believed he will be there for the coming week to work his way back into the mix and could rejoin the team next weekend. The team expects Leiter to return this week when the Cubs head out on the road for a series with the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals.
--Mike Carter - RotoBallerSource: Sahadev Sharma on X
9 months agoChicago Cubs right-hander
Julian Merryweather (ribs) threw live batting practice on Tuesday at Wrigley Field before the contest against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. It was the first time that Merryweather has faced live hitters after previously throwing two bullpen sessions as he recovers from a rib fracture. The 32-year-old right-handed reliever has already been ruled out to return before the All-Star break in mid-July, but he should return to a high-leverage role in the back of Chicago's bullpen early in the second half, barring a setback during his rehab. Merryweather went on the injured list way back on April 7. In just 4 2/3 innings before suffering his rib fracture, he gave up an earned run on four hits while walking two and fanning six.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Watch Marquee - Andy Martinez
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