The Mets and right-handed pitcher Adbert Alzolay have agreed on a two-year, minor league deal, per multiple reports.
Alzolay is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Chicago Cubs that ended in the reliever having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early August. Thus, the 29-year-old is at risk of missing the entire 2025 campaign and will likely pitch for New York in 2026.
In 18 games for Chicago last season, Alzolay had a 4.67 ERA (1.44 WHIP) before landing on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. The righty attempted to rehab the injury and return to the Cubs but couldn’t, ultimately opting for surgery instead.
Before getting hurt, Alzolay was unable to build upon his breakout 2023 season as an elite closer for Chicago. In his first taste at being a full-time closer, the Venezuelan-born pitcher had a 2.67 ERA (1.02 WHIP) with 22 saves in 25 opportunities and 67 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.
Prior to that, the Cubs primarily used Alzolay as a starter with a few relief appearances sprinkled in. In 2021, his first full season in the starting rotation, Alzolay finished 5-13 with a 4.58 ERA (1.16 WHIP) in 29 games (21 starts) but showed his putaway potential with 128 strikeouts in 125.2 innings pitched.
After beginning the following season on the 60-day IL, the right-hander returned later in the year as a full-time reliever and pitched well with a 3.38 ERA (0.83 WHIP) and 19 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched.
Chicago designated Alzolay for assignment on Nov. 19, 2024, and three days later the RHP elected free agency.
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