Cubs adding top prospect Adbert Alzolay to big-league bullpen

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The Cubs won't be handing top prospect Adbert Alzolay the ball as a starter Thursday, but he will be in uniform for the big-league club as they welcome the Mets into town.

Tyler Chatwood will start for the Cubs Thursday, but the organization is also calling up Alzolay, who may be available to piggyback Chatwood out of the bullpen.

The Cubs tried to stretch Chatwood out in the bullpen over the weekend in Los Angeles, but he hasn't thrown as many as 60 pitches since May 22, so length could potentially be an issue Thursday night. The Cubs also are in the midst of 17 straight games without a day off, so it's also a boost to add a fresh arm to the bullpen.

With Kyle Hendricks on the injured list dealing with a shoulder issue, the Cubs opted to insert Chatwood into the rotation for Thursday because they felt the veteran had earned the right to get the spot start. But the team has not made any determination beyond Thursday and with it looking like Hendricks will miss at least one more start, both Chatwood and Alzolay could be options to start Tuesday's game.

Alzolay, 24, is the Cubs' most exciting pitching prospect and probably would've already made his MLB debut last season if not for a shoulder injury that cut his year short. He got a delayed start to 2019 after slipping and tweaking his side right before spring training began, but he's been lights out in Triple-A Iowa this season (3.09 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 46 strikeouts in 32 innings).

Chatwood, meanwhile, has had a resurgent year. He's sporting a 3-1 record to go with a 3.60 ERA and 1.46 WHIP while serving mostly as the long man out of the bullpen. He did make a spot start for the Cubs April 21 at Wrigley Field, tossing six shutout innings to help beat the Diamondbacks.

Left-hander Tim Collins was designated for assignment to make room for Alzolay on the big-league roster.

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