Cubs protect Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles from the Rule 5 Draft, DFA Adbert Alzolay and Brennen Davis

11/19/2024 06:40 PM

The Cubs added prospects Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles to the 40-man roster on Tuesday, before the deadline to protect eligible players from the Rule 5 Draft. To clear spots for them, the Cubs designated for assignment right-hander Adbert Alzolay and outfielder Brennen Davis, homegrown players who have run into injury troubles.

Caissie was a candidate to be called up to the majors late in the season, but the Cubs recalled fellow outfielder Kevin Alcántara, who was already on the 40-man roster, to make his debut in late September.

Caissie spent all season in Triple-A, recording six hits in his first two games at that level. That level of production obviously wasn't sustainable over the course of the year, but he hit .278 with 19 home runs. He finished strong by posting a .958 OPS in September.

The Cubs acquired Caissie, a 2020 second-round pick, from the Padres as part of the prospect-heavy trade package for Yu Darvish before the 2021 season.

Cowles is a recent addition to the organization. The Cubs traded for him and pitching prospect Jack Neely, who debuted in August, at the deadline this year, sending reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees in return.

Cowles was recovering from a wrist injury at the time of the trade, but he played four games for Double-A Tennessee in September and represented the club in the Arizona Fall League.

Both Alzolay (Tommy John surgery) and Davis (fractured left ankle) finished the season on the 60-day injured list.

Alzolay, coming off a breakout 2023 campaign, entered this season in the Cubs closer role. But early struggles rolled into a season-ending injury in mid-May.

He tried to avoid surgery, working all the way up to a Triple-A rehab assignment. But recovery remained a concern, and Alzolay eventually decided in August to undergo surgery.

The Cubs have not provided a specific timeline for Alzolay's rehab, but a typical recovery time for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction would rule out Alzolay for much, if not all, of the 2025 season.

Davis, a former Cubs No. 1 prospect, has had an injury-laden professional career that's included a vascular malformation in his back, two concussions, core muscle surgery, and two other back injuries. Those significantly delayed his development timeline, and Davis, a second-round 2018 draft pick, has yet to reach the majors.