Almonte (shoulder) elected free agency Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Almonte had right shoulder surgery in July and is expected to be sidelined until around midseason of next year. He will do his rehabbing in another organization after declining an outright assignment from the Cubs.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Hopes for midseason return in 2025
Rotowire
Almonte (shoulder) said Saturday that he hopes to make a full recovery from right labrum surgery in less than 12 months, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
On the shelf since May 11 with a right shoulder strain, Almonte had been treating the injury with rest and rehab but has ultimately decided to get season-ending surgery after he recently sought a second opinion following a setback in the recovery process. A more precise timeline for Almonte's return to game action could come once he undergoes surgery in the coming days, but he's already seemingly preparing to miss time to begin the 2025 campaign. For the time being, Almonte is seemingly targeting a return shortly before the All-Star break next season.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Set for season-ending surgery
Rotowire
Almonte will undergo surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Almonte was shut down from throwing Wednesday after receiving a second opinion on his strained right shoulder, and he'll now elect to undergo surgery rather than restart his rehab process. A clearer timeline for his recovery will likely emerge once he goes under the knife, but the Cubs aren't expecting the 30-year-old righty to return to action until some point in the 2025 season. He'll finish the 2024 campaign with a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP alongside a 20:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Shut down from throwing
Rotowire
Almonte will be shut down from throwing after receiving a second opinion on his right shoulder strain Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Manager Craig Counsell noted Wednesday that Almonte "didn't get great news" during his second opinion, and the right-hander will decide whether to resume rehab through a strengthening program or undergo surgery for his strained right shoulder, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports. Before landing on the injured list in May, Almonte registered six holds and one save over 17 outings with a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list June 27, and the 30-year-old could be on the shelf for the rest of the season if he opts for surgery.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Seeking second opinion
Rotowire
Almonte (shoulder) will get a second opinion next week, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Almonte sustained a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and is still considering options for how to proceed. The 30-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday and can be considered out indefinitely.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Cubs transferred Almonte (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Almonte suffered a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain this past week. He remains without an updated return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL suggests the 30-year-old righty isn't expected back relatively soon. The Cubs signed Vinny Nittoli to an MLB deal Thursday to fill the open spot on the 40-man roster.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Suffers setback
Rotowire
Almonte suffered a setback in his ramp-up from a strained right shoulder, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Almonte and the Cubs have been forced to "press pause" on his recovery, according to manager Craig Counsell. The team is expected to seek another opinion on the right-hander's shoulder and his status moving forward appears to be up in the air for the time being.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Throwing live batting practice
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Almonte (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
It appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since going down with a right shoulder strain in early May. Almonte should be ready for a rehab assignment before long and is tracking toward a return before the end of the month.
Almonte (shoulder) threw about 30 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Almonte completed his first bullpen session since being cleared for mound work Friday. He's been rehabbing at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, where he'll remain before being shipped out on a rehab assignment. Almonte hasn't pitched since May 7 and is battling a strained throwing shoulder.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Taking rehab program to Arizona
Rotowire
Almonte (shoulder) has reported to the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona and has been cleared to resume mound work, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
He'll likely throw multiple side sessions in Arizona before facing hitters in live batting practice or simulated games, prior to heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The reliever has been on the 15-day injured list since May 11 with a right shoulder strain.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Plays catch Tuesday
Rotowire
Almonte (shoulder) was seen playing catch Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Almonte has been dealing with a right shoulder strain but resumed throwing after being shut down for nearly two weeks. It's unclear if he'll need a rehab assignment before returning from the injured list, but the righty will likely be out for at least another week.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Hopes to throw next week
Rotowire
Almonte (shoulder) remains shut down but hopes to resume a throwing program next week, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.
Almonte landed on the 15-day injured list almost a week ago with a right shoulder strain and is currently limited to doing strengthening exercises. However, the Cubs hope he won't need a long absence. Almonte boasts a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 15.2 innings this season.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Getting shoulder checked out
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Almonte is getting imaging done on his right shoulder Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Almonte had been placed on the the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain, but the Cubs apparently still want to glean more information on the extent of the injury. The right-handed reliever had posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 15.2 innings out of the Chicago bullpen while gathering one win, one save and six holds prior to landing on the IL.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: To IL with shoulder strain
Rotowire
Almonte was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
He didn't recover well from his last outing Tuesday against the Padres and there is no timeline for his return, per manager Craig Counsell. Almonte has a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 20 strikeouts, one win and one save in 15.2 innings through 17 appearances.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Nabs four-out save
Rotowire
Almonte picked up the save Tuesday against Houston, recording a strikeout over 1.1 perfect innings.
After manager Craig Counsell announced Sunday that Adbert Alzolay was no longer the Cubs' closer, Almonte filled that role Tuesday. While Almonte's the first Cub with a save since the announcement, Hector Neris, who got a save in Game 2 of Saturday's double-header, and Mark Leiter, who Almonte replaced in the eighth, could be part of what seems to be a short-term closing committee.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Earns first win
Rotowire
Almonte (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win in Sunday's 8-1 victory over the Dodgers.
After the Cubs received only four innings from starter Shota Imanaga due to a lengthy rain delay, Almonte worked the fifth and walked away with his first win of 2024. The righty struggled two outings ago, allowing three runs while retiring just one batter, which has saddled him with a 9.00 ERA in the early going. However, Almonte has good raw stuff, and Chicago seems committed to letting him figure things out at the MLB level.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Should secure Opening Day role
Rotowire
Almonte will likely make Chicago's Opening Day bullpen due to being out of options, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Almonte would have to clear waivers if he's sent down, and the Cubs seem unwilling to risk losing the righty. Almonte struggled some last season, recording a 5.06 ERA across 48 innings with the Dodgers, but he also struck out 49 batters. Armed with a fastball that sits around 96 mph, Almonte has the potential to be a bullpen weapon for the Cubs if he cuts down on the walks. The 29-year-old posted a 4.5 BB/9 in 2023, which contributed to his overall struggles.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Shipped to Chicago
Rotowire
Almonte was traded from the Dodgers to the Cubs along with Michael Busch in exchange for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
The Dodgers wanted to open up some 40-man roster spots, so they'll turn Almonte and Busch into a pair of yet to be reported minor leaguers. Almonte, 29, has a 96-mph fastball and struck out 49 in 48 innings for the Dodgers last season, but his 5.06 ERA and 1.40 WHIP prevented him from turning in positive fantasy value. He should work in lower leverage situations.
