The New York Mets have spent much of the 2026 campaign trying to strengthen their bullpen, bringing in experienced relievers looking to rebound from injuries or uneven performances. However, those low-risk additions have produced few positive results.
Now, with the Mets’ struggles continuing to pile up, another bullpen gamble has come to an early end.
According to his official transaction log, the Mets have parted ways with former Chicago Cubs reliever after only a short stay with the organization.
New York Mets End Chicago Cubs Reclamation Project After Difficult Run
The move closes the book on a short-lived reunion attempt for a veteran right-hander who joined the Mets after a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery.
But Cubs fans will remember that Alzolay was once poised to become a long-term late-inning weapon in Chicago after successfully transitioning from the rotation to the bullpen.
“Alzolay was one of Chicago’s top pitching prospects and had some success after converting to a full-time relief role, notching 22 saves during the 2023 campaign,” NBC Sports noted after the Mets cut. “He missed all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery before signing a minor league deal with the Mets as a potential reclamation project. The 31-year-old has been cut loose after being torched for 10 runs over 8 2/3 innings at Triple-A Syracuse this season.”
Those struggles prevented Alzolay from forcing his way into the Mets’ major league bullpen conversation, despite New York’s willingness to give him an opportunity following his injury rehabilitation.
Instead, his time with the organization lasted only a matter of weeks before the club decided to release him.
Former Chicago Cubs Standout Pitcher Appears ‘Rusty’ In Short New York Mets Stint
Though Alzolay enjoyed a strong run with the Cubs, the disappointing results weren’t entirely unexpected considering the amount of time he had missed before this season.
“Alzolay was on the shelf for the first two months of the minor-league season, presumably because he was still working to regain command and velocity following his August 2024 Tommy John surgery,” per CBS Sports. “After making six rehab appearances across three different lower-level affiliates, Alzolay received the green light to join Syracuse earlier this month, but he’s looked rusty in his initial opportunities at the Triple-A level.”
Unfortunately for both Alzolay and the Mets, that rust never disappeared.
The right-hander’s inability to regain the command and effectiveness that once made him one of the Cubs’ most trusted relievers ultimately brought his brief stay in the Mets organization to an end. While another club could still take a chance on the former 22-save closer, future opportunities might be harder to come by until he can prove he has bounced back to form.
