Next Game
Probable Pitchers
-
- J. Luzardo PHI
- 1-3, 7.94 ERA, 1.46 WHIP
-
- S. Imanaga CHC
- 1-1, 2.45 ERA, 0.77 WHIP
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
0:37Highlights: Phillies at Cubs (4/20)
-
10:49Weekend Waiver Wire Adds! Ranking Closer Options!
-
1:32Highlights: Cubs complete sweep with WALK-OFF, hand Mets 11th straight loss
-
1:13Highlights: Mets at Cubs (4/18)
-
10:26Hunter Brown & Mookie Betts Hurt! Waiver Wire Replacements!
-
1:20Edward Cabrera Shines In Cubs Debut
-
1:27Why Now Was The Right Time For The Cubs To Extend PCA
-
1:04Teams Not Afraid Of The Dodgers: The Cubs
-
0:29Report: Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong Finalizing Long-Term Extension
-
0:512026 MLB Season: Prediction To Win The National League
-
1:06The Seiya Suzuki To The IL Debate
-
9:27Gerrit Cole Makes His Return! | FBT Express
-
1:14Munetaka Murakami Makes 1st Major League Appearance For White Sox
-
1:00Alex Bregman Making Cubs Debut Today vs. White Sox
-
1:09Cubs, 3B Alex Bregman Agree To 5-Year, $175 Million Deal
-
1:38Alex Bregman Signs 5-year $175m Deal With Chicago Cubs
-
0:32BREAKING: Cubs, Alex Bregman Agree to 5-YR, $175M Deal
-
1:06Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner Drawing Trade Interest
-
1:22Chances Kyle Tucker Signs This Weekend
-
10:43Early 2026 Outfield Rankings Part 1! How High on Buxton & Springer?
This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
2026 Pitching
| STATS |
W
Wins
|
L
Losses
|
ERA
Earned Run Average
|
SO
Strikeouts
|
BB
Base on Balls (Walk)
|
WHIP
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 1 | 1 | 5.74 | 9 | 4 | 1.21 |
Top Javier Assad News
-
Mets' MJ Melendez: Slugs first homer of 2026
Melendez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.
The former Royal took Javier Assad deep in the fifth inning, but it proved to be the Mets' only run in an extra-inning loss. Melendez has been a rare bright spot in the New York lineup since being called up last week, going 5-for-14 (.357) with two doubles and one homer, but that success could evaporate quickly -- he struck out three times Sunday, and has fanned eight times total in his first 16 plate appearances this season. Melendez will need to stay productive to keep getting consistent playing time once Juan Soto (calf) has rejoined the lineup.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Gets back on track Sunday
Assad did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Assad allowed a solo homer in the fifth inning but was otherwise strong, departing one out shy of a quality start at 82 pitches. The 28-year-old has sandwiched two solid efforts around a nine-run blowup Monday, leaving him with a 5.74 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings. With Matthew Boyd (biceps) expected to return from the injured list next week, it's unclear what Assad's role will be moving forward.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Disastrous in first loss
Assad (1-1) took the loss Monday against the Phillies, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out three.
After pitching 5.2 shutout innings in his season debut versus the Rays, Assad faltered in a much tougher spot against Philadelphia's potent lineup. The nine runs allowed were a career worst, and the 11 knocks given up were also a career worst for the right-hander. Matthew Boyd (biceps) is on track to rejoin the Cubs' rotation early next week against the Phillies, so Assad's next start may not come at the major-league level if Boyd is indeed ready to return by then.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Awarded another start
'Assad will start Monday's game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Added to the rotation last week following the placements of Matthew Boyd (biceps) and Cade Horton (forearm) on the injured list, Assad acquitted himself well in his first start of 2026, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out three and allowing three baserunners in a win over the Rays. Boyd could be ready to return from the IL this weekend when first eligible, but if Assad can come through with another strong outing Monday, he may end up sticking in the rotation as the Cubs' No. 5 starter over Colin Rea.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Steps up with good performance
Assad (1-0) tossed 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Rays, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three.
Assad got the call to the majors with Matthew Boyd (biceps) and Cade Horton (forearm) landing on the injured list within the past few days, and Assad stepped up with a strong performance for the Cubs. Horton is now set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right UCL, so it's possible that Assad sticks around as Chicago's fourth or fifth starter for the foreseeable future. The righty struggled with injuries of his own last season, but he's mostly been effective for Chicago when he's been on the field since making his MLB debut in 2022. Assad is penciled in to start again Monday against the Phillies on the road, and he's worth a look in fantasy leagues if he can string together a few good outings.
... See More ... See Less -
-
Cubs' Javier Assad: Recalled, entering rotation
The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Monday and will have him start Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
With Matthew Boyd (biceps) and Cade Horton (forearm) landing on the injured list within the past two days, the Cubs will turn to Assad to fill one of the two openings in the rotation. After falling short in his bid for a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Assad has made two starts for Iowa this season, giving up seven earned runs on 14 hits and six walks while striking out seven over seven innings. The right-hander has a much stronger track record over parts of four seasons in the majors, accruing a 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.6 K-BB% over 331 innings.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Could be needed for MLB rotation
With Cade Horton (forearm) set to land on the injured list, Assad is an option to get promoted from the minors and fill his rotation spot, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Horton departed Friday's contest after only an inning of work due to right forearm discomfort, and he will be examined more fully to determine the extent of the injury. Following a rainout Saturday, the Cubs don't have to worry about Horton's spot in the rotation again until Wednesday. Assad is a candidate to get the call from Triple-A Iowa, though it appears to be more likely that Ben Brown or Colin Rea moves over from the bullpen and into the rotation. Even if Assad isn't needed right away, he could be next in line if any other Chicago pitchers go down.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Sent to minors
The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Marquee Sports Network reports.
Assad was terrific in three appearances during Cactus League play, allowing two runs (one earned) with an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. It wasn't enough for him to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Assad will play a role on the Cubs in 2026, either as a long reliever, spot starter or both.
... See More ... See Less -
-
Cubs' Javier Assad: Arrives at camp after slight delay
Assad arrived at spring training Thursday after a slight delay due to a visa issue, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad was slightly delayed in his arrival from his native Mexico, but it doesn't seem that the issue will interrupt his spring routine at all. The 28-year-old has served as both a starter and a long reliever the past few seasons for the Cubs. Assad missed most of last year with an oblique injury and will look to turn in a fully healthy campaign in 2026. He looks destined for the bullpen with the Cubs adding Edward Cabrera to the rotation and Cade Horton emerging as a strong starting option last season.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Set to earn $1.8 million
Assad and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million deal to avoid arbitration Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad was eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career, and he'll get a $1 million raise relative to his 2025 salary. He missed most of last year with an oblique injury and looks likely to begin the new campaign working out of the bullpen, barring significant injuries to the Cubs' rotation.
... See More ... See Less -
-
-
Cubs' Javier Assad: Nabs fourth win
Assad (4-1) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six over 5.1 shutout innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cardinals.
Assad closed out the regular season by winning four of his last five outings, one of which was a relief appearance. In that span, he gave up nine runs across 23 innings with a 14:9 K:BB. The right-hander has a 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 37 innings through eight appearances (seven starts) this season. His 79-pitch outing Sunday will likely keep him off the Cubs' roster for the wild-card round versus the Padres, but Assad could be included in the bullpen if Chicago advances to the NLDS.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Receiving another start
Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
Assad will make a second straight start to close out the regular season after allowing two earned runs over four innings in a no-decision his last time out Sept. 20 versus the Reds. Since the Cubs will begin a best-of-three wild-card series versus the Padres on Tuesday, Assad likely won't be rested enough to remain in consideration for a roster spot during the first round of the playoffs.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Drawing start Saturday
Assad is slated to start Saturday's game in Cincinnati, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The Cubs have already clinched a playoff berth but are six games behind the Brewers in the NL Central standings heading into play Saturday, so the team is essentially locked into a best-of-three wild-card series in the postseason. As a result, the Cubs appear content to build in an extra day of rest for their rotation members heading into the playoffs and will do so by having Assad make a spot start Saturday. Since moving to the bullpen earlier this month, Assad's lone relief appearance was a 2.1-inning outing back on Sept. 14, so he should be well rested and capable of providing plenty of length Saturday. Over six appearances (five starts) for the big club this season, Assad has gone 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB across 27.2 innings.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Goes four frames in no-decision
Assad did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts over two innings.
Assad managed just 43 strikes on 74 pitches and generated only four whiffs in his first start since Sept. 5. The 28-year-old has logged a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 31.2 innings through seven appearances (six starts) this season. If the Cubs elect to give him another turn in the rotation, he's lined up for a home matchup with the Cardinals next weekend.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Set to return to bullpen
Assad is expected to move to the bullpen later this week with Jameson Taillon (groin) set to return from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad has made five starts for the Cubs this season after recovering from a strained oblique, turning in a 4.62 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 25.1 innings. However, Taillon's imminent return leaves Chicago with a full rotation that also includes Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea. Assad pitched well in a swingman role back in 2023, when he compiled a 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 109.1 innings across 10 starts and 22 relief appearances. The righty will likely once again give the Cubs some length out of the bullpen, and he's capable of making a spot start if needed.
... See More ... See Less -
Cubs' Javier Assad: Good enough in win
Assad (2-1) earned the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Assad threw just 49 of 81 pitches for strikes and generated six whiffs but still worked into the sixth inning for a third straight outing. The 28-year-old gave up two runs in the fourth before being charged with two more after exiting with two on in the sixth. He owns a 4.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB across 25.1 innings this season and is likely headed back to the bullpen with Jameson Taillon (groin) set to return next week.
... See More ... See Less
Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-1, 200 lbs |
| Birthplace: Tijuana, Mexico |
| Age: 28 |
| Experience: 4 |
| Bats/Throws: R, R |