The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad was called up to start Friday's game against the Halos, and he'll be sent right back to Triple-A in favor of Jordan Wicks. Assad has a 3.86 ERA in three starts with Chicago this season, and an even better 2.93 ERA in four starts with Iowa.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Settles for no-decision
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Assad didn't factor into the decision against the Angels on Friday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings.
The right-hander's lone blemish came on a solo homer by Yoan Moncada in the fifth, but Assad otherwise kept Los Angeles in check across his six efficient innings. It was just Assad's third start of the season, as he stepped into the rotation following the injury to Ryan Brasier. Through those three outings, the 28-year-old Assad has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 14 innings.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Recalled, starting Friday vs. Halos
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The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa, and he is scheduled to start against the Angels on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad will take the spot on the Cubs' 26-man roster vacated by Ryan Brasier (groin), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Assad was dispatched to Triple-A on Monday, but he'll provide some short-term relief in the rotation with Michael Soroka (shoulder) on the 15-day IL.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Dispatched to minors
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The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Assad permitted five runs on 13 hits and two walks over eight innings in his two starts with the big club. He will cede his rotation spot to Jameson Taillon (calf), who will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make a start at some point during the Cubs' five-game series with the Brewers that opens Monday with a doubleheader.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Better in second outing
Rotowire
Assad didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Pirates, allowing a run on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out three.
While Assad was limited to 65 pitches Sunday, it was a step in the right direction for the 28-year-old right-hander, who gave up four runs over four innings in his season debut against the Blue Jays. Still, Assad, who pitched to a 3.73 ERA in 29 starts last season, could find himself relegated to a bullpen role down the stretch with Jameson Taillon (calf) scheduled to return to the rotation Monday.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Picking up another start
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Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Pirates at Wrigley Field, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad had spent the entire season on the shelf while recovering from a left oblique strain before he returned from the 60-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. The right-hander endured a rough 2025 debut, taking a loss while allowing four earned runs on eight hits and one walk over four innings. Though Assad will be in line for at least one more start Sunday, his stay in the big-league rotation could soon come to an end with Jameson Taillon (calf) tracking toward a return from the injured list next week.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Back from IL, starting Tuesday
Rotowire
The Cubs activated Assad (oblique) from the 60-day injured list, and he's expected to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Ben Brown had originally been slotted in as Tuesday night's starter in Toronto, but Assad is back from the IL and will make his 2025 season debut after coming back from a strained oblique. Assad made five rehab starts in the minors, pitching to the tune of a 2.45 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB across 18.1 innings. He built up to 68 pitches in his latest rehab start last Wednesday.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Poor showing in season debut
Rotowire
Assad (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against Toronto, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out two.
Assad struggled in his season debut, and most of the damage was done courtesy of an Ernie Clement three-run home run in the fourth inning. The right-hander threw just 70 pitches in his first start off the 60-day injured list due to an oblique injury, so he still has some building up to do after tossing 68 pitches in his final rehab start for Triple-A Iowa. That said, Assad won't be a recommended streaming option as he aims to extend his pitch count next week versus the first-place Brewers.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Goes 4.1 innings in rehab start
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Assad (oblique) struck out four and allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks across 4.1 innings for Triple-A Iowa in the third start of his rehab assignment Wednesday.
Assad is still waiting to make his 2025 debut with the Cubs, as he was placed on the injured list coming out of spring training due to a left oblique strain, then suffered a setback in his recovery in late April following a pair of rehab starts. He was cleared to kick off a new rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, and he's now built up to 68 pitches through three outings. Assad is likely to make at least one more rehab start before the Cubs bring him back from the 60-day IL and decide whether to use him in the rotation or as a long reliever.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Twirls 3.2 innings at Triple-A
Rotowire
Assad (oblique) struck out two and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk across 3.2 innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa.
After tossing three scoreless frames in his first rehab outing July 24 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Assad jumped up a few levels for his second outing. The right-hander got stretched out to 53 pitches (32 strikes) in the start and is expected to build upon that workload when he makes his next rehab appearance with Iowa on Wednesday, per MLB.com reports. Though Assad still appears more likely than not to work in long relief or stick around in Iowa's rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list, he could be needed to make starts with the big club if he ends up beating Jameson Taillon (calf) and Michael Soroka (shoulder) back from the IL.
Assad (oblique) tossed three scoreless innings for the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate Thursday. He allowed one hit and struck out six.
It was the first game action for Assad since April and the righty looked sharp, albeit against lesser competition. The team will progress slowly with the 27-year-old, who has yet to pitch in the majors this season. The next steps for Assad will be to increase his workload and face more seasoned hitters, possibly at Triple-A Iowa. Once he's able to come off the IL, Assad could slot back into a rotation that lost Justin Steele (elbow) for the season and is also currently without Jameson Taillon (calf).
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Resuming rehab assignment
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Assad (oblique) will resume a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs on Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Assad has been sidelined all season after aggravating a left oblique strain during a rehab start back in late April. The right-hander is hoping to be available for the Cubs at some point in August, but it's uncertain what his role would look like at that time.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Slowly ramping up rehab
Rotowire
Assad (oblique) has been completing bullpen sessions as part of his rehab work but has yet to throw live batting practice, which the team says is his next step, MLB.com reports.
Assad, who suffered a left oblique strain during spring training and then aggravated the injury during a rehab start in late April, has yet to throw a pitch for the Cubs this season. The righty is still targeting an August return, but after missing such a significant chunk of time, it wouldn't be surprising to see him eased into action via a long-relief role. Assad worked exclusively out of the rotation last year, compiling a 3.73 ERA in 29 starts (147 innings) for the Cubs. In 2023, he served as a valuable swing man and posted a 3.05 ERA across 109.1 innings while making 10 starts and 22 relief appearances.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Out until August/September
Rotowire
Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said Tuesday that Assad (oblique) is unlikely to return until August or September, 670 The Score reports.
Assad has been sidelined all season, having suffered a left oblique strain during spring training and then aggravating the injury during a rehab start in late April. Hawkins believes it's "reasonable" to think Assad can still contribute in 2025, but he doesn't expect the righty back before the trade deadline. Assad began playing catch in late May, but it's not clear where he's currently at in his throwing progression.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Plays catch
Rotowire
Assad (oblique) played catch Monday, Zoe Grossman of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Assad re-injured his oblique in late April during a rehab start and had been shut down from throwing since. However, he's been cleared to begin a throwing program and played catch Monday for the first time since the injury. Assad remains weeks away from being activated from the 60-day IL.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Cubs transferred Assad (oblique) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Chris Flexen, whose contract was selected Wednesday. Assad suffered a setback with his left oblique last week and will be shut down for a while.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Dealing with Grade 2 oblique strain
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Assad has been shut down after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad re-injured his oblique during a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa. It's not clear how long the right-hander will remain shut down, but Counsell intimated that Assad will have to start building up from scratch once he's cleared to resume a throwing program. It's a significant setback for Assad, who will likely remain sidelined until at least June.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Heads back to Chicago after setback
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Wednesday that Assad had a setback with his left oblique during Tuesday's rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad is headed back to Chicago to be examined by the team's medical staff. The right-hander had appeared poised to return soon, perhaps as a member of the Cubs' rotation, but now his status is up in the air. Assad has allowed three runs with a 9:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings in his two rehab starts.
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