Cubs pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay is close to the major leagues, so close that Jed Hoyer outright said he'll be up with the team this season.
So when he leaves a start early, one in which he was doing well, question marks are raised. Alzolay threw four perfect innings and had three strikeouts on Tuesday when he was pulled after 60 pitches.
It wasn't an unexpected promotion, though. It was an injury.
Alzolay was pulled for a Grade 1 lat strain and will be re-evaluated in a few days. Typically that is a 2-3 week injury.
Alzolay has now failed to go more than five innings in five straight starts. At least Tuesday's outing was a good one. He had allowed 17 runs (all earned) over 18 2/3 innings in his last four starts.
After Tuesday's four perfect innings, the 23-year-old has a 4.76 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 2/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa this season.