CINCINNATI — While the Cubs bullpen could look a tad different in a few days, one familiar face won’t be in that equation.

Righty Adbert Alzolay is leaving his rehab assignment in Iowa to return to Chicago to be checked out by the team doctors.

“Adbert has had a little setback,” manager Craig Counsell said prior to Monday’s series opener against the Reds.

Alzolay made his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and a pair of walks with a strikeout. He was scheduled to throw again with Iowa this week but hadn’t properly bounced back.

It’s been a frustrating season for Alzolay, who was looking to build upon a breakout 2023 campaign.

Last season, he developed into the Cubs’ closer, racking up 22 saves in 25 opportunities with a 2.67 ERA in 58 appearances. But the struggles started on day 1 for Alzolay and continued from there.

The 29-year-old gave up a game-tying home run on Opening Day in the 9th and blew 5 saves before being moved off the closer role. He landed on the IL on May 13 with a right flexor strain and has been on the injured list since.

Alzolay was in Arizona rehabbing and made a pair of rehab appearances with the Arizona Complex League team. He struck out the side in his first inning of work and then allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits in an inning in his second appearance.

Héctor Neris has stepped into the closer’s role since Alzolay’s struggles, but he faces an uncertain 24 hours. Neris is one of the relievers that could be moved ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, along with other veteran relievers like Mark Leiter Jr., Drew Smyly and Julian Merryweather.

If he or any of those other arms are traded, it could leave Counsell searching for a new closer, with current leverage relievers like Tyson Miller, Porter Hodge and the newly acquired Nate Pearson as potential options.

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