CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Adbert Alzolay off the 60-day injured list and designated left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb for assignment. Additionally, the team has selected the contract of infielder Esteban Quíroz from Triple-A Iowa, placed outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the paternity leave list and designated infielder Frank Schwindel for assignment.
Alzolay, 27, was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 18 with a right shoulder strain. In five injury rehabilitation outings between the Rookie League ACL Cubs and Triple-A Iowa from August 22-September 11, Alzolay pitched to a 5.84 ERA (8 ER/12.1 IP) with six walks and 16 strikeouts, good for an average of 11.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.
Since making his major league debut with the Cubs in 2019, Alzolay is 7-15 with one save and a 4.58 ERA (81 ER/159.1 IP) in 39 games (27 starts), walking 56 and striking out 170 batters to go along with a 1.21 WHIP. He saw his most extensive major league action in 2021, going 5-13 with a 4.58 ERA (64 ER/125.2 IP) in 29 games (21 starts) with 34 walks and 128 strikeouts.
Alzolay was signed by Chicago as a non-drafted free agent in December of 2012 out of San Félix, Venezuela. He owns a 33-29 record with one complete game and a 3.74 ERA (210 ER/505.1 IP) in 111 career minor league games including 90 starts. He has posted a 1.17 WHIP with 152 walks and 467 strikeouts in the minor leagues.
Quíroz, 30, will wear uniform number 43 and looks to make his major league debut after he was acquired by the Cubs from Tampa Bay on March 25 of this year for outfielder Harold Ramírez. Quíroz this month has batted .316 (12-for-38) with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBI in 13 games for Iowa, recording a .426 on-base percentage.
The left-handed hitting Quíroz spent the first seven seasons of his professional career in the Mexican League starting in 2011. In 2015, he helped Quintana Roo win the Serie del Rey, batting .323 (20-for-62) with a home run and 12 RBI in 19 postseason games. In 2016, he ranked second in the Mexican League with a .449 on-base percentage and reached in 34-straight games from June 9-August 3 with Quintana Roo.
Between his time in the Mexican League and in the Boston (2018), San Diego (2019), Tampa Bay (2021) and Cubs systems, Quiroz has predominately played second base (548 games) and shortstop (224 games) while also seeing time at third base and all three outfield positions.
Suzuki, 27, has batted .263 (98-for-372) with 22 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and 45 RBI for Chicago in his first major league season.
Newcomb, 29, has gone 2-1 with a 9.13 ERA (23 ER/22.2 IP) in 17 relief appearances for Chicago since he was acquired from Atlanta for right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez on April 21.
Schwindel, 30, hit .229 (62-for-271) with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 36 in 75 games for Chicago this season before he was optioned to Iowa August 8.
