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The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa ahead of his start Saturday against Miami, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad has put up a 3.46 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 83.1 innings in the big leagues this season and has given up four runs in nine innings since being sent down to Triple-A in late August. He'll now return to the majors to pitch against a Marlins offense that's put up a .677 OPS in the last two weeks, and he could stick around in the Cubs' rotation if he delivers another strong performance. Tyler Ferguson was optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Drawing start Saturday
Rotowire
Assad will be recalled from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday's game against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Assad will toe the rubber opposite Ryan Gusto as he returns for his 23rd appearance and 11th start for the big-league club this season. The 29-year-old Assad has put an impressive 3.46 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in his 83.1 innings in the majors this season and threw 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his most recent start for Iowa on Aug. 30. With a strong showing Saturday, Assad could end up sticking in the Chicago rotation as the fifth starter over David Peterson.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The move opens up a spot on the Cubs' active roster for Daniel Palencia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Assad was promoted to the Cubs' bullpen on Monday and worked in long-relief against the White Sox on Tuesday, when he allowed two hits while striking out two batters across three scoreless frames. He's started in all five of his outings in Triple-A, where he has a 7.31 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 16 innings this season.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Works in long relief after call-up
Rotowire
Assad struck out two and allowed two hits and no walks over three scoreless innings of relief Tuesday in the Cubs' 4-3 win over the White Sox.
Though he was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Monday as the corresponding move to Edward Cabrera (finger) returning to the 15-day injured list, Assad won't end up replacing Cabrera in the rotation. After the Cubs called upon Assad to work in long relief following a short start by Kevin Gausman (hand) on Tuesday, David Peterson will end up taking over Cabrera's spot in the rotation this weekend in Seattle, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Back with big club
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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.
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
Rotowire
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.
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
