Cubs roster move: Adbert Alzolay activated from injured list, Kyle Ryan optioned

Adbert Alzolay left the game in San Diego June 7 with a blister problem on his right middle finger. He was placed on the injured list the next day.

Today, Alzolay was returned to the 26-man active roster and will start tonight’s game against Cleveland at Wrigley Field.

In a corresponding roster move, Kyle Ryan, who had been recalled Sunday but did not pitch in the game, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Alzolay has a 4.06 ERA and 1.040 WHIP in 11 starts this year covering 57⅔ innings. He’s allowed 44 hits and 16 walks and struck out 62; both his K rate (9.7 per nine innings) and walk rate (2.5 per nine innings) are very good so far this season.

Alzolay, who has never thrown more than 126 innings in a professional season, could benefit from this down time and having his innings managed. (Yes, I was someone who said that wasn’t necessary, but perhaps it’s a good thing.)

Here’s hoping for good things from Alzolay for the rest of the 2021 season. He could be an important part of a postseason rotation if he keeps throwing the way he had before the blister.