CHICAGO _ Closer Craig Kimbrel could join the Cubs as soon as Thursday.
But a potential roster victim is Adbert Alzolay, who has pitched well enough to stay in the rotation.
"There are other ways we can do this," said manager Joe Maddon, careful not to rule out any possibilities. "I don't want to say too much too soon. We're trying to put this all together and figure it out."
Kimbrel, 31, pitched in four games for Triple-A Iowa and allowed one home run while striking out four in 3 2/3 innings. Reports that indicated Kimbrel's fastball and curve were sharp pleased team officials.
The Cubs, however, have yet to commit to Alzolay making his next start Monday night against the Pirates. He allowed one hit in 4 2/3 innings in his first major league start Tuesday against the Braves.
Alzolay, 24, would be in line to make two more starts before the All-Star break should he remain on the roster. But the Cubs are also mindful that Alzolay missed the final four months of the 2018 season because of a right lat strain and missed all of spring training and the first six weeks of Iowa's season because of a similar injury.
Alzolay has thrown no more than 120 1/3 innings (2016) in any professional season, and the Cubs face the task of enhancing his development without risking injury. Alzolay has thrown a combined 44 2/3 innings in the minors and for the Cubs this season.
"You want to keep him on schedule," Maddon said of a rotation spot for Alzolay. "We're talking this all the way through. He could do it here. He could do it somewhere else. We're not sure, but you also have to be mindful of the innings he's pitching, based on what kind of jump you want him to endure this year.
"There are a lot of different components to these discussions about him. He's definitely showing he can pitch here. There's no question he can pitch here, but now we have to figure out how to put him in the mix in a way that's beneficial to him and us. We're not done discussion that. But it's possible both ways."
