Assad will compete for a rotation spot this spring, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad recorded a 3.11 ERA in eight starts and one relief appearance as a rookie last season, but both his 18.1 percent strikeout rate and 12.0 percent walk rate were unimpressive. He's in contention for the spot which will be temporarily vacant due to Kyle Hendricks' shoulder injury alongside Hayden Wesneski and Adrian Sampson.