Cubs manager David Ross told reporters that Assad is lined up to pitch Thursday for Chicago, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hayden Wesneski is listed as Thursday's probable starter, and it's worth pointing out the two are currently in a battle for one of the final starting spots in Chicago's rotation. Assad impressed in his time with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, and he could be a bullpen option for the Cubs if he doesn't open the season in the starting rotation.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Impressing this spring
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Across 9.2 innings this spring split between the Cactus League and the World Baseball Classic, Assad has tossed 9.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
Assad has turned into a valuable weapon for Team Mexico, which faces Japan in the tournament semifinals Monday. The righty is battling for the Cubs' fifth rotation spot as well, though it seems like Hayden Wesneski has the inside track there. That could push Assad into a long-relief role, but he's a candidate to start down the road. The 25-year-old could become a fantasy factor if that happens and he continues to pitch like he has this spring.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Likely ticketed for bullpen
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With Hayden Wesneski likely closing in on the fifth spot in the rotation, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Assad will probably begin the season in the bullpen.
Assad has looked sharp this spring in limited work, but Wesneski has also turned heads, and the latter seems to have the inside track on a rotation spot. That will likely push Assad into a long-relief role, though he certainly could start at some point this year. The righty made his MLB debut last season and held his own across nine appearances (eight starts), registering a 3.11 ERA.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Competing for rotation role
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Assad will compete for a rotation spot this spring, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad recorded a 3.11 ERA in eight starts and one relief appearance as a rookie last season, but both his 18.1 percent strikeout rate and 12.0 percent walk rate were unimpressive. He's in contention for the spot which will be temporarily vacant due to Kyle Hendricks' shoulder injury alongside Hayden Wesneski and Adrian Sampson.
Assad tossed 5.1 scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to the Reds. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four.
Assad left with the Cubs up 1-0, but Chicago's bullpen allowed three runs in the 3-2 loss. Despite not getting the win, Assad looked sharp in his 2022 finale. The rookie ended his campaign with 10.1 scoreless innings over his last two starts, which brought his ERA down to a strong 3.11 across 37.2 total innings. Assad should factor into the team's rotation mix to begin 2023, and he'll be a fantasy factor if he keeps pitching like this.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Looks sharp in win
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Assad (2-2) tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Phillies. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three.
Assad entered the night with a 6.23 ERA across his last four starts, but he pitched well against Philadelphia and picked up his second win of the season. The rookie was limited to just 80 pitches, as the Cubs seem focused on not pushing the 25-year-old too much in his debut campaign. Assad is lined up to start the season finale Wednesday against the Reds, and he could be in the mix for a rotation spot to begin 2023, depending Chicago's moves during in the offseason.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Tagged with four runs
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Assad allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over four innings against the Pirates on Friday. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.
Assad would've taken the loss if not for the Pirates' bullpen giving up the game. The right-handed rookie allowed one run in the first inning, followed by Jack Suwinski's solo homer in the second and two more runs in the third. Assad has given up 12 earned runs over his last 17.1 frames, raising his season ERA to 4.28 through seven appearances. He's currently projected to face the Phillies at home next week.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Struggles through two innings
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Assad (1-2) allowed four runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three in two innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.
Assad yielded three runs in the first inning and a solo home run to Connor Joe in the second. This was the second time in his last three starts he's yielded four runs, which account for both of his losses through six appearances this year. The rookie right-hander has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 21:14 K:BB through 23.1 innings. He's still likely to feature in a starting role if the Cubs stick with a six-man rotation. Assad is tentatively lined up for a favorable road start in Pittsburgh next weekend.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Earns first MLB win
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Assad (1-1) allowed just one run on five hits across six innings to earn the win Monday against the Mets. He walked three and struck out six.
Assad once again pitched well, and the Cubs scored five runs in the first four innings, propelling the rookie to his first MLB win in his fourth career start. The righty struggled with walks again, and he now has 10 free passes across 21.1 innings this year, but he's otherwise been solid with a 2.53 ERA. Assad will look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start, which is currently penciled in for next Monday against the Marlins.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Takes first loss
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Assad (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Reds. He walked one and struck out six.
Assad pitched decently but served up two solo home runs, which were the first long balls he's allowed at the MLB level. This was the 25-year-old's third start for the Cubs and the first time he's allowed any runs across those appearances, leaving him with a strong 2.93 ERA through his first 15 innings in the majors. Assad has likely pitched well enough to stick in the rotation, and he's currently penciled in to take the mound again Tuesday against the Mets.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Pitches well again Monday
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Assad pitched five scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision in Monday's extra-innings loss to the Blue Jays. He allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out one.
Assad made his MLB debut last week and tossed four scoreless innings. He followed that up with another strong outing, though he does have just four strikeouts versus six walks in his nine innings of work. The 25-year-old managed a 2.95 ERA across 36.2 innings at Triple-A Iowa this season, so while he won't keep posting zeroes, he could have some sustained success at the MLB level, particularly if he can cut down on the free passes moving forward. Assad will look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start Sept. 6 against the Reds.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Picking up another start
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Assad is listed as the Cubs' starting pitcher for Monday's game in Toronto, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad will get a chance to build on a strong MLB debut last week, when he struck out three over four scoreless frames in the first game of a doubleheader with the Cardinals. The rookie should be able to maintain a spot in the rotation until the Cubs get one of Keegan Thompson (back), Wade Miley (shoulder) and Adbert Alzolay (lat) back from the injured list.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Allows no runs in MLB debut
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Assad pitched four scoreless innings as the starter in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He allowed four hits and four walks while striking out three.
Assad was making his MLB debut, and while the four walks weren't great, he still pitched reasonably well against a solid St. Louis lineup. The 25-year-old was looking good at Triple-A Iowa before getting called up, recording a 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB across 36.2 innings. Assad might still get sent back down, though the Cubs appear set to give the rookie a longer look, with Keegan Thompson (back), Kyle Hendricks (shoulder), Alec Mills (back) and Wade Miley (shoulder) all out at the moment. Assad is tentatively set to start again Monday against the Blue Jays.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Called up ahead of MLB debut
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The Cubs selected Assad's contract from Triple-A Iowa ahead of his scheduled start in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Outfielder Jason Heyward (knee) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day injured list to clear room on the 40-man roster for Assad, who will be making his MLB debut Tuesday. Assad will likely just be in line for a spot start before heading back to Iowa, though he could change the Cubs' plans for him if he fares better than expected against a hot-hitting St. Louis lineup. Over his 36.2 innings at Iowa since receiving a promotion from Double-A Tennessee earlier this summer, Assad produced a 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Slated to debut Tuesday
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Assad will be called up to start the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
Assad was promoted to Triple-A Iowa at the beginning of July, and he's posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 36.2 innings over eight appearances (seven starts) at the Triple-A level. The Cubs' starting rotation is currently banged up, so it's possible that Assad makes more than one turn through the rotation if he performs well Tuesday.
