(670 The Score) Right-hander Adbert Alzolay will be the Cubs' fifth starter to open the season, manager David Ross said Saturday.
That news answered one of the intriguing questions the Cubs had as Opening Day looms next Thursday. As expected, right-hander Trevor Williams will be the team's fourth starter.
The Cubs had been weighing what was best for the future of the 26-year-old Alzolay and the team. They want to be mindful of his workload in 2021, as he has never logged more than 120 1/3 innings in a season, so the fifth spot in the rotation will likely feature others throughout the year as well. Right-hander Alec Mills was the other prime candidate to land the role, but he'll instead work out of the bullpen to open the season.
Alzolay had a 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings for the Cubs in the shortened 2020 season.
Kyle Hendricks will start the Cubs' opener against the Pirates and be followed by Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies in the rotation.
