Assad (4-0) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against Atlanta. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out seven.
Assad has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in all nine of his starts this season, which has allowed him to compile a stellar 1.49 ERA across 48.1 innings. The young righty was effective as a long reliever last year and it was uncertain in spring training if he'd be able to grab a rotation spot, but at this point, it would seem unlikely that he's moved back to the bullpen given his strong play. Assad will look to keep rolling as a starter in his next scheduled outing, which is penciled in for Tuesday against this same Atlanta squad.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Lasts 4.1 innings vs. Pittsburgh
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Assad didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Pirates, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
After the Pirates scored twice in the first inning, Assad delivered 3.1 scoreless frames before he was ultimately pulled after 89 pitches (53 strikes). The 26-year-old hasn't allowed more than one earned run in five straight starts, and he's 3-0 with a 1.70 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB across 42.1 innings this season. The Mexican-born right-hander is currently slated for a road matchup with Atlanta in his next outing.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Tosses six shutout frames
Rotowire
Assad (3-0) allowed four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Brewers.
Assad scattered baserunners throughout his start but never faced any heavy threats. He's allowed two or fewer runs in each of his first seven outings of 2024, but Sunday's performance was his first quality start since his season debut April 2. Assad dropped his season ERA to 1.66 with a 31:12 K:BB through 38 innings. He failed to factor into the decision in his previous three starts despite registering a 1.76 ERA over that span. Assad is currently in line to start in Pittsburgh next weekend.
Assad came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Mets, allowing one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.
The 26-year-old righty didn't allow much hard contact, as all five hits off him were singles, and Assad tossed 55 of 78 pitches for strikes before leaving the mound with the score tied 1-1. He's had an impressive start to his campaign, and Assad will take a 1.97 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Brewers.
Assad didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Astros. He struck out five.
Although Assad was only at 85 pitches, he was pulled one out before becoming eligible for the quality start after allowing a pair of baserunners. Although Assad has completed six innings only once in five starts, he boasts a 2.00 ERA and a 26:9 K:BB with a 2-0 record. He's tentatively scheduled for a start against the Mets early next week.
Cubs' Javier Assad: Lasts 4.2 frames in no-decision
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Assad didn't factor in the decision during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He struck out three and allowed one run on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings.
The right-hander kept Miami off the board until two walks, a single and a sacrifice fly produced a run in the fifth, which brought an end to his day. It was arguably the worst start of the season for Assad as he failed to finish five innings for the first time, which illustrates how well he's pitched through four turns through the rotation. He has a 2-0 record with a 2.11 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB across 21.1 innings.
Assad (2-0) allowed two runs on four hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Mariners. He walked one and struck out six.
Assad continues to pitch well, as he's now allowed two runs or fewer in all three of his outings this season. That's left the righty with a solid 2.16 ERA, and he's also struck out 18 batters in just 16.2 innings so far. While Jameson Taillon (back) is expected back in the rotation next week, the team may elect to keep Assad in the rotation as well based on how good he's been. If nothing else, he could be a high-end long reliever, though fantasy managers would prefer that Assad sticks as a starter. For now, his next start remains penciled in for Saturday against the Marlins, but that is subject to change once Taillon returns.
