During the same week Gleyber Torres hit a grand slam for the Yankees and Eloy Jimenez hit a game-winning home run for the White Sox, the Cubs finally could look forward to watching homegrown talent Adbert Alzolay pitch for them Thursday night.
"If you're running the organization, it's a big deal," manager Joe Maddon said before Thursday night's game against the Mets at Wrigley Field. "When you're able to draft and develop or sign and develop players, there's something to that. When you get them out of the womb, there's a lot invested in that."
Alzolay, 24, made his major league debut in relief of starter Tyler Chatwood _ and what a debut it was. He didn't allow a hit until Todd Frazier homered to lead off the ninth, and he finished with five strikeouts and two walks in four-plus innings in the Cubs' 7-4 victory.
Alzolay threw 35 of his 55 pitches for strikes and faced one batter over the minimum through his first four innings. After Frazier's homer, he walked Wilson Ramos on four pitches and then left to a rousing ovation before Steve Cishek got the final three outs.
The Cubs traded Torres three years ago as the centerpiece of a deal for closer Aroldis Chapman, who helped them win their first World Series since 1908. And they dealt Jimenez two years ago for left-hander Jose Quintana to fortify a playoff-bound rotation.
Meanwhile, they have waited patiently over the last 13 months for Alzolay, who suffered a season-ending lat strain in late May 2018 that cost him a midseason promotion.
The Cubs could have long-term plans for Alzolay, a native of Venezuela. Kyle Hendricks is expected to be sidelined through the All-Star break because of an impingement in his right shoulder. That will allow the Cubs to assess whether Alzolay could either piggyback Chatwood, take Hendricks' spot until he returns or serve as a sixth starter.
Chatwood allowed three runs in the first three innings Thursday, including a two-run home run to Pete Alonso in the third.
For now, the Cubs are delighted that Alzolay, who signed as a 17-year-old, earned his promotion. In his last five starts for Triple-A Iowa, he posted a 1.93 ERA with 40 strikeouts and three walks in 28 innings.
"From the scouts to the developmental people to the big-league staff, there's always a sense of pride in developing your own," Maddon said. "There always is, whether it's a third baseman or shortstop or whatever.
"The fact we've had a hard time developing pitchers that arrive at the big-league level, it's good to get your feet on the ground with that and then try to re-create the template as you continue along. So everybody takes a strong sense of pride in watching his development."
Alzolay, an engaging prospect during the past two spring trainings, said he called his parents and cried shortly after Iowa manager Marty Pevey informed him of his promotion.
"It definitely feels amazing, feels good to be here with the Cubs," Alzolay said. "Everything is just coming together right now. My breaking ball has been very good lately. I'm using that pitch to strike out guys. You have to finish guys. I'm throwing that pitch behind in the count, ahead in the count. My fastball has been working very well too.
"I'm locating my pitches. That helps me to use my breaking ball more to finish the guys. My change-up is coming through. I'm able to throw that pitch ahead in the count, behind in the count, to lefties, righties. Everything is coming together right now."
And at the right time for a Cubs pitching staff in its final leg of 50 games in 52 days.
"I don't know when that's going to happen," Maddon said of a permanent spot for Alzolay. "We've already discussed different methods to keep him here. But we'll see him (Thursday).
"What I hear and see on video, I'm betting on him."
A string of successful performances by Alzolay could lessen the need for pitching help as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, although the Cubs acknowledge the need for depth.
While Alzolay was injured last summer, he studied videotape and noticed he needed to work at a quicker tempo that has benefited him and his teammates. And the sharpness and effectiveness of his curve has made him less predictable.
Thursday's performance was just part of the evaluation process to see if Alzolay is deserving of a start or better suited in the short term as a long reliever.
"We'll definitely look at it on a daily basis on how this all plays out," Maddon said. "I can't tell you what's going to happen the next time through. (If) both guys pitch as well as they possibly can, then we'll make that decision. You always ask guys to control the controllables. Go out there and pitch well and then make decisions difficult."
