Cubs' Javier Assad: Making extended spring appearance

Assad (oblique) will throw two innings in an extended spring training game Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He's expected to make an additional appearance in extended spring training after that before heading out on a formal rehab assignment. That would seem to point to Assad being at least a couple weeks away from rejoining the Cubs. Ben Brown is currently holding down the No. 5 spot in Chicago's rotation.