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The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Assad was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, but he's back with the Cubs one day later after the big club placed Edward Cabrera (blister) on the 15-day injured list. Prior to being sent down to the minors, Assad was moved to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. However, Assad -- who has started in 10 of 21 major-league games this season -- could return to the team's rotation following Cabrera's recent injury.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Dispatched to Triple-A
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The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Assad lost his spot in the rotation in the aftermath of the Aug. 3 trade deadline and shifted to the bullpen, and he'll now end up losing his spot on the roster entirely after the Cubs reinstated Edward Cabrera (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Sunday. Assad is expected to get stretched back out at Triple-A to offer insurance in case injuries test the big club's starting depth down the stretch.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Credited with second save
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Assad secured the save against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.
After the Cubs built a 9-5 lead in the sixth inning, Assad closed it out for Chicago on Wednesday to help give other members of the bullpen a respite. The right-hander has a quality 3.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB with two saves in as many chances over 80.1 innings this season (10 starts), and he should remain a swingman as opposed to a consistent high-leverage option.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Back in bullpen Sunday
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Assad tossed a perfect inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 10-2 win over the Royals.
Assad had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he looks poised to stick in a relief role after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes prior to Aug. 3 trade deadline and broke them into the rotation last week. Pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since July 25, Assad made quick work of the Royals, needing just five pitches to retire the side and close out the blowout win. Expect most of Assad's opportunities moving forward to come in lower-leverage situations.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Tosses 5.2 innings in no-decision
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Assad didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings.
Assad fared well opposite Tarik Skubal, and he ended just one out shy of recording what would've been his first quality start since mid-June. It remains to be seen if Assad will stay in the rotation following the deadline acquisitions of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, but as of now, he's lined up for Tuesday on the road against the Nationals. Assad owns a 3.58 ERA across 19 appearances (10 starts) and 75.1 innings with the Cubs in 2026. This is the third time in four seasons he has made at least 10 starts.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Awarded start Tuesday
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Assad is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Assad earned himself a second straight turn through the rotation after he struck out six and allowed one earned run on six hits and two walks in 4.1 innings in a start against the Cardinals on Thursday. The right-hander could have a longer leash Tuesday after tossing just 83 pitches versus St. Louis, but he'll also get a tougher matchup, taking on a Dodgers offense that has posted an MLB-best 113 wRC+ on the season. In addition to facing off against a tough lineup, Assad's chances of earning a win will be further dimmed by going head-to-head with two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who will make his Dodgers debut Tuesday.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: No-decision vs. St. Louis
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Assad did not factor into the decision for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out six across 4.1 innings.
Assad worked out of the bullpen in both of his previous two outings, but he was thrust back into a starting role Thursday after Shota Imanaga's scheduled start was pushed back to Friday against the Yankees. Assad allowed at least two baserunners in three of the five innings he pitched but limited the damage to just one run. Given that Edward Cabrera (hamstring) and Ben Brown (hand) are both still on the 15-day IL, Assad could make at least one more turn in the rotation, which would line him up to face the Dodgers at home next week.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Drawing start Thursday
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Assad will start Thursday's game in St. Louis, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Shota Imanaga had been listed as the starter for Thursday's series finale, but he and the other Cubs starters will be pushed back in order to bake in some extra rest. Assad went three shutout innings out of the bullpen in his last appearance Saturday in Pittsburgh, so he'll be taking the ball on four days' rest. The righty hasn't made a start in nearly three weeks, so he won't have a full workload at his disposal.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Works out of bullpen Monday
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Assad struck out two and allowed one unearned run on two hits and one walk over an inning of relief Monday in the Cubs' 8-6 loss to the Tigers in 10 innings.
Assad had started in his final two appearances before the All-Star break, but he ended up getting bumped to the bullpen to begin the second half after Jameson Taillon returned from the injured list and re-entered the rotation Monday. The Cubs further bolstered their rotation depth with the acquisition of Aaron Civale over the weekend, so Assad may not be in store for any starting opportunities anytime soon.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Posts another effective start
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Assad completed five innings against Cincinnati in a no-decision Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out four batters.
It wasn't the most dominant of performances by Assad, as he served up two homers among seven total hits. However, both long balls were of the solo variety, and the the right-hander otherwise dodged damage in the scoring column -- in part due to throwing an efficient 54 of 82 pitches for strikes and issuing zero free passes. Since re-entering the rotation July 5, Assad has held his own, allowing two runs over 9.2 frames with a 6:2 K:BB. However, Jameson Taillon (hamstring) is slated to return shortly after the All-Star break, and Edward Cabrera (hamstring) may not be far behind, so it's up in the air whether Assad will remain in the rotation beyond late July.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Handed another start
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Assad is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
After being deployed in the bullpen June 30 versus the Padres, Assad slotted back into the rotation this past Sunday against the Cardinals, taking a no-decision while tossing 4.2 scoreless frames. With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) set to remain on his rehab assignment this week before likely returning from the 15-day injured list following the All-Star break, Assad will stick in a starting role for at least one more appearance. Once Taillon is activated, the Cubs will have rotation spots available for only two of Assad, Colin Rea and David Peterson.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Sidesteps danger in no-decision
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Assad took a no-decision Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing no runs on two hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out two.
Assad kept the St. Louis bats in check Sunday, scattering two singles over 4.2 shutout innings, and he notably escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second frame. The 28-year-old right-hander has been much more impactful as a starter versus a reliever, posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 37 innings from the rotation as opposed to a 5.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 19.1 frames out of the bullpen. It's unknown how Assad will next be deployed, as it's possible Jameson Taillon (hamstring) will be ready to take his next turn in the rotation.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Pitches in relief Tuesday
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Assad worked in relief during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres, striking out one over 2.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks.
After a three-game run as a starter during which he went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 16.2 innings, Assad was somewhat surprisingly deployed in relief Tuesday. In his second start back from the injured list, Matthew Boyd was lifted after covering the first five innings, with Assad entering behind him and being tasked with protecting a five-run lead. Assad's move to the bullpen doesn't sound like it will be a permanent one, with manager Craig Counsell telling Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network on Wednesday that the right-hander will make one more start before the All-Star break. However, with Jameson Taillon (hamstring) nearing a return from the injured list, Assad could be the odd man out of the rotation when the Cubs open their second-half schedule.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Rejoining rotation Sunday
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Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
After pitching 2.2 innings of long relief behind Matthew Boyd in his most recent appearance during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres, Assad will slot back into the rotation weekend. While Assad has rolled to a 3-0 record, 2.70 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over his last three starts, the Cubs' willingness to use him in relief earlier this week could indicate that he's the pitcher most likely to move to the bullpen once the banged-up Chicago rotation gets some further reinforcement. Among the Cubs' injured starters, Jameson Taillon (hamstring) is the closest to returning and is set to make a rehab start Sunday, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list during the final week before the All-Star break.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Carried to sixth win by offense
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Assad (6-1) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander collected the victory in his third straight start and fifth straight winning decision despite serving up homers to Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning, as the Cubs outslugged the home squad 10-3. Assad has been impressive since rejoining the big-league rotation in early June, and over four starts this month he's delivered a 1.96 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 23 innings. He'll look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Padres.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Earns fifth win
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Assad (5-1) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out one without walking a batter to earn the win over the Rockies on Wednesday.
Assad came up an out short of a quality start, but he picked up his second win in a row. He's allowed just two runs over 18 innings across three outings (two starts) in June while filling in for Jameson Taillon (hamstring) in the rotation. Assad now has a 3.89 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB through 44 innings over 11 appearances (five starts) on the year. Taillon is expected to be out beyond the All-Star break and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) is making a rehab start Saturday, so Assad is tentatively projected for at least one more start. He's lined up to face the Mets in New York next week.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Drawing another start
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Assad is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Wrigley Field.
After spinning 6.1 scoreless innings of long relief June 7 against the Giants in Chicago following Jameson Taillon's (hamstring) early exit, Assad ended up taking over as the Cubs' new No. 5 starter last week following Taillon's move to injured list. Assad thrived again in a matchup with a weak Giants offense -- this time in San Francisco -- striking out five batters over six shutout frames en route to picking up his fourth win of the season. The right-hander will get another favorable matchup for his upcoming turn, but Assad's standing in the rotation will be murky following Wednesday's outing. After a recent setback, Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) was able to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, and he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to replace Assad in the rotation the next time the Cubs need a fifth starter.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Sharp in win
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Assad (4-1) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.
Assad received a favorable matchup for his return to the Cubs' rotation, and he made good on it. He's tossed 12.1 scoreless innings against the Giants over his last two appearances since rejoining the big club June 6. The right-hander looks poised to get a stretch of starts while Jameson Taillon (hamstring) and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) remain out. Over 10 appearances (four starts) this season, Assad has a 3.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 38.1 innings. Assad is penciled in for a home start versus the Rockies next week.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Making start Friday
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Assad is listed as the Cubs' scheduled starting pitcher for Friday's game in San Francisco.
Assad tossed 6.1 scoreless innings of relief Sunday versus the Giants after entering in place of the injured Jameson Taillon (hamstring). With Taillon now on the injured list and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) recently suffering a setback, Assad should have the opportunity to make multiple starts for the Cubs. He's collected a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 32.1 innings covering three starts and six relief appearances in 2026.
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