CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The impressive MLB debut of top Cubs pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay against the Mets on Thursday has the organization exploring the possibility of using a six-man rotation leading up to the All-Star break.
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks is sidelined for an unspecified amount of time with an impingement in his throwing shoulder. In his place, the Cubs piggybacked spot starter Tyler Chatwood with Alzolay on Thursday to quality returns. Now in the early stages of a stretch of games for 17 consecutive days, the Cubs may just turn to a six-man rotation. Their next off day is July 5, then the All-Star break Monday arrives July 8.
"We are very much in the process of this," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "We have talked since last night and continue to explore this. We have pretty open about saying you want your starters to get a refresher. They need a little more time between starts. It is a long season. Between now and the break, we will continue to think through things to get our guys a break."
Alzolay dazzled in throwing four innings of one-hit relief while striking out five and walking two Thursday. The only hit he allowed was a solo homer to Mets third baseman Todd Frazier in the ninth inning.
The Cubs believe Chatwood deserves the chance to make more starts as well after reworking his delivery and finding success after a miserable 2018 season.
As for Hendricks, he had a light session of playing catch Friday.
"The initial reports are he is feeling good," Hoyer said. We are not ready to talk through a plan or progression."
"This is about allowing the information in the rotator cuff and the shoulder to calm down. That a lot of times helps alleviate the symptoms. Sometimes after that, the pitcher comes back just fine. He went through a full shoulder work out yesterday. We will see how it feels tomorrow after throwing a little today."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
