THE Dishes and right-handed pitcher Adbert Alzolay have agreed to a two-year minor league deal, according to multiple reports.
Alzolay is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Chicago Cubs that ended with reliever Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early August. Thus, the 29-year-old risks missing the entire 2025 campaign and will likely be present in New York in 2026.
In 18 games for Chicago last season, Alzolay had a 4.67 ERA (1.44 WHIP) before landing on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. The right-hander attempted to rehab his injury and return to the Cubs, but was unsuccessful, ultimately opting for surgery.
Before getting injured, Alzolay was unable to build on his 2023 season as Chicago’s elite closer. In his first experience as a full-time closer, the Venezuelan-born pitcher had a 2.67 ERA (1.02 WHIP) with 22 saves in 25 chances and 67 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.
Before that, the Cubs primarily used Alzolay as a starter with a few appearances in relief. In 2021, his first full season in the starting rotation, Alzolay finished 5-13 with a 4.58 ERA (1.16 WHIP) in 29 games (21 starts) but showed his strikeout potential with 128 strikeouts. batting in 125.2 innings pitched.
After starting the following season on the 60-day IL, the right-hander returned later in the year as a full-time reliever and pitched well with a 3.38 ERA (0.83 WHIP) and 19 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched.
Chicago designated Alzolay for assignment on November 19, 2024, and three days later the RHP elected free agency.
