CHICAGO _ Adbert Alzolay was promoted Monday from Triple-A Iowa, but the Cubs insisted the arrival of one of their top prospects should be interpreted as insurance in the event Yu Darvish can't make his next start Saturday against the Brewers.
"It's always going to be what's best for the pitcher, so we thought that was best for Yu," Maddon said of the decision to skip Darvish from Sunday's start because of right forearm soreness. "And hopefully everything is going to be cool and he gets out for the next start. It's going to make him even better down the stretch."
The Cubs, however, are aware that Darvish has increased his workload from 40 innings during an injury-shortened 2018 season to 152? innings in 2019. But they have curbed some of his pitching since mid-June when he was given extra rest between starts.
"When you make dramatic jumps, you're always concerned," Maddon said. "Not even maybe about this year, but about the next year, how that overlaps somehow. But he's done it before. It's still in the back of your mind."
Maddon said the Cubs have tried to limit Darvish's pitch count. Darvish has made five starts of at least six innings without exceeding 90 pitches, although he threw eight innings and 104 pitches in his last start Tuesday against the Mets.
"Number of innings, pitches thrown, which is more important when you're trying to advance one level to the next regarding workload?" Maddon asked.
Maddon mentioned an old theory about an increase in innings by young pitchers not exceeding 20% from the previous season.
"I don't know how that came about," Maddon said.
Darvish missed all of 2015 with the Rangers because of Tommy John surgery but returned the next season to throw 127 innings with the Rangers and two minor-league affiliates. Darvish also missed five weeks in 2016 because of right shoulder discomfort.
Darvish declined to comment. Alzolay will be used in a long relief role for now with Tyler Chatwood available as a spot starter if needed.
Alzolay said his workload was limited to 80 pitches because of right biceps soreness after being optioned July 2, but "I feel back to normal."
Alzolay was 0-1 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts in August, pitching four no-hit innings in his last start on Wednesday against Oklahoma City.
