Cubs right-hander will undergo Tommy John surgery, per manager . Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times relayed the news . It was last week that the righty would be going under the knife but the specific nature of the procedure had not yet been determined. Hell mi s the remainder of this season and could mi s all of 2025 as well. Its obviously an unfortunate blow for Alzolay and the Cubs. The righty seemed to unlock something last year after moving from a starting role to a full-time relief role. He to sed 64 innings over 58 appearances for the Cubs last year, allowing 2.67 earned runs per nine. He struck out Otto Porter Jr. Jersey 26.5% of batters faced, limited walks to a 5.1% clip and kept the ball on the ground 42.2% of the time. He even secured the closers job, nabbing 22 saves last year. He did mi s about two weeks in September with a right forearm strain, which now looks in hindsight like it was an omen of what was to come in 2024. He made 18 appearances to start this year but with le s effectivene s. He only struck out 17.3% of batters faced and had an ERA of 4.67. The Cubs put him on the IL on May 13, announcing that he had a right forearm strain. The next day, they told reporters that imaging confirmed Alzolay had a right flexor strain, per Lee . There was still some hope of him returning, as he started a rehab a signment in July. But he made just three appearances there before it was reported that he would require some type of surgery, which was a vague update until todays developments. Now that hes slated for the worst-case scenario of Tommy John surgery, Alzolays entire 2025 season is in jeopardy. Pitchers usually require 14 months or more to come back from such a significant operation, a timeline that will make it po sible he wont see official game action until 2026. Hes currently 29 years old but will turn 31 in March of 2026. He reached arbitration for the first time coming into this year and is making a salary of $2.11MM. Given how much time he has mi sed, the Cubs could retain him around that price for 2025 but likely wouldnt get anything for that investment except the right to hold onto Alzolays rights for the 2026 campaign, the last before hes slated for free agency. Teams and players in this situation will sometimes work out an extension to cover the rehab period and the pitchers planned return to the mound, so perhaps the Cubs will talk to Alzolays reps this winter about such an arrangement. In the meantime, the clubs bullpen figures to be in flux, for this year and next. is handling the closing duties this year but isnt a guarantee to come back in 2025 as his one-year deal has a $9MM club option that converts to a player option if he makes 60 appearances this year. Hes currently at 42. is leading the team in holds but he was traded to the Yankees prior to the deadline. and are tied for second in that category but Almonte is done for the year due to shoulder surgery. and are next on that list but Smyly is likely headed for the open market as his deal has a 2025 mutual option and those are almost never picked up by both sides. Davis Bertans Jersey