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.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Receiving another start
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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.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Goes four frames in no-decision
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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.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Drawing start Saturday
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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.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Taking over for injured Taillon
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The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Chicago sent Assad back to the minors after he made a spot start this past Saturday, when he allowed one earned run and struck out four over six innings in a no-decision versus the Angels. Assad didn't have to wait long to return to the Cubs, as he'll slot back into the rotation as a replacement for Jameson Taillon (groin), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Assad is in line to make his next start Saturday against the Rockies at Coors Field.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Returned to Iowa
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Dispatched to minors
Rotowire
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: 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: Goes 4.1 innings in rehab start
Rotowire
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.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Looks sharp in rehab game
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: 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: 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: Exits rehab start early
Rotowire
Assad (oblique) left before the start of the fifth inning in Tuesday's rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, Jason Kempf of the Iowa Cubs' broadcast team reports.
Assad, who started the season on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, was warming up for the fifth inning before grabbing at his side. He immediately went to the dugout, and the team should have an update on the 27-year-old right-hander once he is thoroughly evaluated by trainers.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Stint on injured list possible
Rotowire
Assad (oblique) could throw off a mound this week, but a stint on the injured list to begin the season is possible, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Assad is working his way back from a mild left oblique strain suffered early on in camp. He could have enough time to ramp up for Opening Day if he does indeed get back on a mound this week, but a stint on the injured list to begin the season has not been ruled out. Assad came into camp as the presumed favorite to serve as the Cubs' fifth starter, but if he's not ready, Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown would compete to fill in.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Managing mild oblique strain
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Assad was diagnosed with a mild oblique strain and will be shut down from throwing for a few days, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
The shutdown period is expected to be brief, so the right-hander may not end up missing too much of camp. Assad is poised to compete for the final spot in Chicago's rotation once healthy, but too much of a delayed start to spring training could affect his buildup for the regular season.
