Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolaly not expected back until after All-Star break

Tommy Birch | The Des Moines Register

Show Caption Hide Caption Adbert Alzolay on his Triple-A debut Chicago Cubs pitching prospect makes Triple-A debut Friday

Chicago Cubs top prospect Adbert Alzolay is in Arizona rehabbing from an injury that will keep him on the disabled list for at least the remainder of the first half of the season.

Jaron Madison, Chicago’s director of player development, said Monday he doesn’t expect the injured Iowa Cubs pitcher to return until at after the minor league All-Star break.

Alzolaly, ranked the top prospect in the organization by MLB.com, has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a lat strain.

“Just kind of giving it time to heal and then he’ll start building back up with his throwing program and everything,” Madison said. “No exact timetable right now. Just depending on how he feels.”

Alzolay, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, left his start on May 29 after firing four perfect innings.

Alzolay has had mixed results in his first Triple-A season.

He’s gone 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in eight starts with Iowa this season. In three of his starts, he’s combined allow just one earned run over 17 innings. In his other five starts, Alzolay has struggled, surrendering 20 earned runs over 20.2 innings.

Despite the inconsistencies, Madison said Alzolay had been knocking on the door of his first big-league promotion before landing on the disabled list.

“He’s so close to the big leagues and helping if there was a need,” Madison said. “So, definitely disappointing, but he’s going to work his butt off and do everything he can to get back and get back to being 100 percent. Hopefully we can get past this and not have to worry about these types of things anymore."

Alzolay, who went 29-18 with a 3.30 ERA in his first five professional seasons, had never pitched above Double-A prior to this season.

His first first Triple-A season has already been a roller coaster ride. Alzolay began the season in extended spring training after suffering an ankle injury during spring training.

But when he got to Iowa, Alzolay quickly started turning heads and making a case for his first big-league promotion. That's why the timing of his latest injury couldn’t’ have been much worse.

“Definitely frustrating for us but even more so for the kid because he’s right there on the doorstep,” Madison said.

Now the Cubs will have to wait until Alzolay is healthy to use him. The second half of Iowa's season doesn't begin until July 12.

"It'll be after the All-Star break," Madison said.