San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs - News - March 26, 2021

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Opening as fifth starter Alzolay has beaten out Alec Mills to be the Cubs' fifth starter, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact The fact that Alzolay is opening in the rotation doesn't mean he'll stick there all year, as the Cubs have talked about rotation pitchers through the final couple rotation spots to manage their innings. Still, it's a very positive sign with regards to how important the team believes him to be this season. Alzolay flashed potential in 21.1 innings last season, striking out 33.3 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.95 ERA, but he also walked batters at a 14.9 percent clip. He'll have to improve his command if he's to live up to his potential, but he's a good bet to help fantasy teams with a fair number of strikeouts even if his ERA and WHIP aren't great.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to begin year in bullpen Mills will begin the 2021 season in the bullpen, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Manager David Ross announced Saturday that Adbert Alzolay will break camp as the Cubs' fifth starter, so Mills will come out of the bullpen to begin the year. Mills appeared to be in line to serve as the No. 5 starter and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 11.2 innings this spring. The right-hander could still receive some spot starts for the Cubs or step into the rotation if Alzolay or Trevor Williams struggles.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Looks likely to make team Alzolay will likely be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster following a handful of moves by the team Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brad Wieck, Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill were all sent to the minors, so Alzolay should be able to make the team, though it's unclear what his role will be. Bastian notes that Alzolay and Alec Mills could essentially split the fifth starter role, with the two working in tandem and keeping workloads more limited. That type of arrangement curbs the fantasy appeal of both players, at least until one of them potentially steps forward and grabs the rotation spot outright. Alzolay does also have a fourth minor-league option this year, an MLB arbitrator determined recently, so he could be sent down at some point even if he begins the year in the majors.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Looks likely to make team Maples will likely be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster following a handful of moves by the team Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brad Wieck, Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill were all reassigned to the minors, which should leave Maples with a bullpen role in the majors to begin the season. He pitched just one inning for the Cubs in 2020 but logged 11.2 innings across 14 appearances in 2019, registering a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 18 strikeouts. Maples also walked 10 batters in those 11.2 innings, and he'll need to exhibit better control if he wants to be effective at the MLB level.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Ortega was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ortega was in camp on a minor-league deal and never really had a shot to start the season in the majors. He'll likely begin the year with Triple-A Iowa and gives the Cubs some organizational depth this season.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to minors Megill was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Megill has yet to appear in the majors, and he was a long shot to make the club out of spring training. He spent 2020 at the Cubs' alternate site and finished the 2019 season at the Triple-A level, which is likely where he'll begin the 2021 campaign.

MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs - News: Mar 26, 2021

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