Cubs Considering Calling Up Pitching Prospect to Replace Kyle Hendricks

The Chicago Cubs just placed right-handed starter Kyle Hendricks on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, and they called up right-hander Rowan Wick from Triple-A to take his spot on the roster.

But, who will take his spot in the rotation when Hendricks' spot comes around? Top pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay could get the first crack at it.

“Alzolay is on a real roll at Triple-A, and we’d been planning even before this to possibly give him a couple of spot starts at some point over the next month or so,” Epstein told reporters. "Just to get his feet wet and also give our veteran rotation guys a little bit of a breather during a stretch in the schedule where we don’t have a lot of off days.”

Alzolay, 24, has been very good at Triple-A, owning a 3.09 ERA, with 46 strikeouts over 32 innings that spans over six starts. The only problem the right-hander has faced is giving up the long ball (1.1 HR/9), as he has a tendency to force a lot of flyballs. However, Alzolay has a mid-90's fastball with a plus curveball that can make big league hitters look foolish.

The Cubs hope Hendricks isn't out of action for too long, as the intention would be for Alzolay -- if given the opportunity -- to have a brief big league stint.