CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Adbert Alzolay #73 of the Chicago Cubs stands in the dugout during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
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The New York Mets have long sought bolstering their bullpen with veteran relief pitchers, often signing players recovering from injuries or past inconsistencies. Despite these efforts, the organization’s revolving door of temporary solutions has yielded limited success. Now, one such experiment—former Chicago Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay—has concluded prematurely after a brief evaluation period.
Alzolay, a right-handed pitcher who last appeared in the majors with the Cubs, was acquired by the Mets on a minor-league contract in early 2026 as a potential uplift for their pitching depth. However, after making only a handful of appearances at Triple-A Syracuse, where he allowed 10 earned runs across 8 2/3 innings, the organization opted to part ways with him.
A former top prospect for the Cubs, Alzolay transitioned effectively to relief in 2023, converting 22 saves and emerging as a key component of Chicago’s bullpen. He missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in August 2023. His 2026 campaign with the Mets began slowly, as he remained sidelined through early months of the minor-league schedule while working to rebuild velocity and command.
After completing six rehab appearances across three lower-class affiliates, Alzolay was promoted to Syracuse in mid-May. Though the assignment represented a step forward, his performance at the Triple-A level failed to inspire confidence in his ability to contribute at the highest level. His struggles underscored the challenges faced by pitchers returning from significant downtime, particularly in a competitive environment like the minors.
The Mets’ decision to release Alzolay reflects a broader trend of organizations carefully balancing risk and reward when integrating veteran presences into rebuilding contexts. While Alzolay may still attract interest from other clubs, his short tenure with New York highlights the uncertainty surrounding late-career resurgence attempts in professional baseball.