CHICAGO _ Cubs fans will have to wait a few days for their next glimpse at Adbert Alzolay. But those attending Tuesday's game will get a big payoff.
Alzolay will make his first major league start that night, against the Braves.
The Cubs are switching to a six-man rotation for now, starting Jon Lester on Monday, Yu Darvish on Wednesday and Tyler Chatwood on Thursday.
Alzolay was dazzling Thursday in his Cubs debut. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed only one hit, a solo homer, over four innings while striking out five. He became the first Cubs pitcher since Ryan O'Malley in 2006 to earn the victory in his major league debut.
"I would anticipate him going out there very confidently," manager Joe Maddon said.
The Cubs do not have a day off until July 5, so this will give their starters extra rest. Kyle Hendricks, rehabbing from right shoulder pain, figures to return to the rotation at some point in July.
"We've talked about giving starters intermittent rest," Maddon said, "and when you have guys like (Alzolay) and Chatwood that can permit that to occur, you do it. If you don't have guys like that, you can't do it, you won't do it. You'd try to be creative in other ways; you could have a bullpen day."
