Notes: Alzolay back in rotation; 'sticky stuff'

CHICAGO -- The last thing the Cubs want is to have starter Adbert Alzolay hit a wall later this season when it comes to his workload. At his current pace and production, the team feels the rookie is on target for a complete campaign as part of Chicago's rotation.

"The June 22 answer is, 'Yes,'" Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said prior to Tuesday's game against Cleveland. "I don't have any concerns. I'd have concerns if we start seeing dips in velocity or pitch data and all that stuff. For right now, he's doing the work and looks good."

Alzolay came off the 10-day injured list on Monday and logged 4 2/3 innings in a 4-0 loss to Cleveland. The pitcher was dealing with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, so the IL stint achieved two goals. It allowed Alzolay's finger to heal, but also provided an in-season breather as he aims for a full body of work.

Alzolay has turned in a 4.19 ERA with 67 strikeouts against 17 walks in 62 1/3 innings (already a career high in the Majors). The righty worked 21 1/3 innings last year, excluding the frames he built up at the Cubs' alternate training site.

"Like we said going into Spring Training," Hottovy said, "there's going to be times where we're going to be concerned about workload with guys. Not that you want guys to have blisters on their fingers or anything, but if it's an opportunity to back off?"

Hottovy said the positive within Alzolay's IL stint was that the pitcher's finger healed swiftly, allowing him to stay on a throwing program without being shut down. In his return on Monday, Alzolay averaged 93.7 mph on his sinker (compared to 93.5 mph on the year) and had a 36 percent whiff rate with his slider (compared to 35.5 percent this season overall).

In the start, Alzolay built back up to 69 pitches and ended with five strikeouts and one walk in the loss. While he did yield a pair of home runs, the performance was closer to how Alzolay looked prior to his outing in San Diego on June 7, when he issued five walks in three innings. The righty had five walks total in the previous six starts.

"I felt really good. I felt really confident on the mound," Alzolay said of his showing against Cleveland. "My finger was fine, which was a big point [for Monday's outing]. I felt really good overall."

First 'sticky' inspections smooth for Cubs

Cubs pitchers had their first experience with umpires checking for foreign substances on Monday, as part of MLB's increased enforcement on what grew into a league-wide issue. Alzolay said it felt like a "pretty normal" start for him.

• FAQ on MLB's new 'sticky stuff' rules

"I guess that's what MLB wants to do," Alzolay said. "They just checked my hat, checked my glove, made sure everything was OK. Other than that, I felt it was normal. It was easy. It wasn't too much problem or anything."

Likewise, Cubs manager David Ross said the inspections of his pitchers (Alzolay, Keegan Thompson, Brad Wieck, Tommy Nance and Rex Brothers on Monday) "went smooth" during the game. Both Ross and Hottovy were nearby as the umpires completed their checks.

"It didn't seem super invasive," Hottovy said. "I think that was the biggest thing. Everyone asked questions like, 'Is it going to slow the game down? Is it going to break rhythm coming in and off the field.' But I think for the most part, it was handled great."

Worth noting

Ross commended shortstop Javier Báez for meeting with the media postgame Monday after being benched for a lack of focus in the middle of the Cubs' 4-0 loss to Cleveland. The manager slotted Báez back into the starting lineup on Tuesday.

"I want both sides told in those moments. I want my thoughts, his thoughts," Ross said. "We had a good conversation. That's just him being able to get his words out and what he was thinking in the moment. I think that's a positive."

• Right-hander Trevor Williams (10-day IL, appendicitis) threw a simulated inning and went through fielding and baserunning pregame on Tuesday. Hottovy noted that Williams would have at least one more mound workout before heading out on a Minor League rehab assignment.

• Ross noted that Tuesday was a scheduled day off for first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has been "going pretty hard" of late, per the manager. The timing allows Rizzo two days of rest, including Wednesday's team off-day.

• Right-hander Robert Stock was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Tuesday. Stock faced New York on Wednesday, allowing five runs with six walks in four innings. The pitcher was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Sunday.