Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay left Monday’s game at San Diego with a blister on his middle finger, according to the team.
The medical staff drained the blood out of the blister after Alzolay exited, Cubs manager David Ross said. The team will re-evaluate Alzolay on Tuesday to determine whether he can proceed with his normal throwing schedule.
"Everything else is is good," Alzolay said after the Cubs' 9-4 loss Monday, "Arm, body, everything is feeling good. It's just the blister that got me today."
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Alzolay said he first felt the blister in his last outing. Then, on Monday, the right-hander battled command issues, walking a season-high five batters. Alzolay was able to limit the damage in the first two innings, giving up just one run in each.
"In the second inning, I started feeling it the most," Alzolay said of the blister. "And then I just keep pitching like that. I was like, 'Well, now execute pitches, and let's get this going. I know it's not your best day, but let's see what we can do with it."
Alzolay issued his fifth walk of the night in the fourth inning, throwing four straight balls to Padres leadoff hitter Tommy Pham. Alzolay’s velocity dipped, according to Statcast.
This season, Alzolay’s slider velocity has averaged 86 mph and his sinker 93.5 mph. Alzolay threw two sliders and two sinkers to Pham in the fourth inning. Both sliders were under 83 mph and both sinkers under 91 mph.
MLB
Ross made a call to the bullpen before jogging out to the mound with head athletic trainer P.J. Mainville. Alzolay’s teammates patted him on the back before he walked off the field with Mainville.
Alzolay allowed four runs in three-plus innings Monday. The outing ended his streak of allowing three runs or fewer in nine straight starts.