Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) made his first minor-league start for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and had a decent performance, allowing an earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out four in 3 1/3 innings pitched. Assad has yet to make his 2025 debut due to an oblique strain that he suffered in spring training, but he's getting closer to being able to rejoin Chicago's starting rotation. The Cubs could certainly use the help after losing left-hander Justin Steele (elbow) for the entire season. In his transition from reliever to full-time starter in 2024, Assad held his own and went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA (4.64 FIP) and 1.40 WHIP with 124 strikeouts and 63 walks in 147 innings over 29 starts. He's off to a bad start in 2025 due to his injury and he also doesn't have much strikeout upside, but he can serve as a valuable innings eater in NL-only formats.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) was scheduled to throw two innings in an extended spring training game in Arizona and will likely need a couple more outings there before he's cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Once Assad starts a minor-league rehab assignment, he'll only be a few outings away from potentially being cleared to return from the injured list. However, there's no guarantee that the 27-year-old will be given a starting-rotation spot once he's back. Assad was serviceable in his transition from a bullpen role to a starting role for the Cubbies in 2024, but his lack of strikeout ability caps his fantasy upside as a starter. He went 7-6 a year ago with a career-high 3.73 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 124 punchouts and 63 walks in 147 innings over 29 starts.

The Chicago Cubs officially placed right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Monday before their season-opening, two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week. In additional moves, the Cubs optioned right-hander Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa and designated right-hander Keegan Thompson for assignment. Assad suffered a mild left-oblique strain early in spring training and didn't have enough time to get ready for the Tokyo Series, but he could be ready in early April if he can avoid any setbacks as he gets ramped back up. However, by that time, the Cubs could just use him as a long reliever out of the bullpen. The 27-year-old went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124 strikeouts in 147 innings over 29 starts in 2024 in his first full year as a starter. Assad could take another step forward in 2025, but his lack of strikeout upside doesn't make him very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (oblique) will not be ready by Opening Day. Assad was diagnosed with a mild oblique strain in February. He has begun playing catch and is targeting a return to the mound sometime next week. However, it appears the 27-year-old will be unable to ramp up for Opening Day. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Colin Rea to be one of the favorites to earn a spot in the rotation. Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown could also see starting opportunities if they perform well during spring training. Last season Assad logged 147 innings across 29 starts and held a 3.73 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP. He tallied just 124 punchouts and generated a high 4.97 xERA. Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs signed Rea to a one-year deal and should be viewed as the top candidate to replace Assad as he started 27 games last summer for Milwaukee. Rea could be a viable target in NL-only formats if he is given starts at the beginning of the season.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (oblique), who was the presumed fifth starter for much of the winter, has been sidelined in camp with a left-oblique strain and could need to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. Assad could start throwing off the mound this week, but there might not be any reason to push him to make the Opening Day roster if the Cubs like what they see from right-handers Ben Brown and Colin Rea and lefty Jordan Wicks. Assad, 27, was successful in his transition from a reliever to a starter last year, going 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA (4.64 FIP) and 1.40 WHIP with a career-high 124 strikeouts and 63 walks in 147 innings over 29 starts. However, the spike in innings in a starting role could still be taking its toll, and his lack of swing-and-miss stuff gives him a low fantasy floor in fantasy leagues.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) has resumed playing catch at spring training. Assad is recovering from a mild oblique strain that he suffered early in spring training. As long as the 27-year-old doesn't suffer another setback as he begins to ramp up, he should have enough time to get fully stretched out for the start of the 2025 regular season. The injury certainly hasn't helped his chances of winning the team's final starting rotation spot, though, and he'll be competing primarily with Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown in spring training. Assad had a career-high workload in 2024 in his transition from the bullpen to a full-time starter, but his velocity was predictably down and he struck out just 7.59 hitters per nine innings. He had a 5.82 ERA in his final six starts and will merely be a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues if he wins a rotation spot.

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) has a mild oblique strain after he underwent testing on Monday. Manager Craig Counsell said there shouldn't be too many days without throwing for Assad. The 27-year-old could be slightly behind the other pitchers that report to spring training this week, but his injury doesn't sound serious enough to keep him from being ready on Opening Day in late March, barring a setback once he resumes throwing. Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd are locked into the starting rotation, so Assad will be competing with Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown for the final rotation spot in camp. Assad's injury may not help his cause, though, and he won't be a big fantasy target in deeper leagues if he wins a rotation spot because of his lack of strikeout upside.

Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad (oblique) and Brandon Birdsell (lat, shoulder) are both dealing with injuries, according to manager Craig Counsell. Assad is getting imaging done on his oblique on Monday, which will give the team a better idea of the severity of his injury. It's not great news for the 27-year-old with the start of spring training right around the corner, but if the injury isn't severe, he should still have enough time to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Assad is expected to compete for the final spot in Chicago's starting rotation this spring after going 7-6 with a career-high 3.73 ERA (4.64 FIP), 1.40 WHIP, a career-high 124 strikeouts and 63 walks in 147 innings over 29 starts in his third year in the majors. His numbers were decent, but he had an ERA just under 6.00 in his last six starts, and he could be due for regression if he wins a rotation spot again.

The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Javier Assad (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Saturday, and he will start Game 2 of the team's doubleheader against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. Assad initially landed on the IL on June 27 with a right-forearm strain, but he's ready to return to Chicago's rotation right before next week's All-Star break. The 26-year-old started the year off strong for Chicago before struggling more recently right before he landed on the shelf. Still, he's sporting a decent 3.04 ERA (4.17 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 33 walks in 83 innings pitched over his 16 starts. In his lone start against the Cardinals on May 26, he took the loss while giving up four earned runs in five innings, although he did strikeout a season-high eight batters. Assad should be rostered in deep-mixed fantasy leagues for starting depth, but he'll be a bit risky as a streamer on Saturday in his first MLB start since June 23.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (forearm) was set to throw a bullpen session before Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. Assad went on the 15-day injured more than a week ago with a right-forearm extensor strain and is just now ready to throw off a mound again. Depending how the 26-year-old comes out of his bullpen session on Friday, there's a chance we could see him return to Chicago's starting rotation right before the All-Star break in mid-July. Assad has been relevant in most fantasy leagues in 2024 in his third season in the majors, as he's currently carrying a 4-3 record, a career-best 3.04 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with a career-high 22.3% percent strikeout rate and a 9.3% walk rate in 83 innings over 16 starts.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (forearm) played catch ahead of Sunday's game against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. It marks the resumption of Assad's throwing program after going on the injured list on Thursday due to a right forearm extensor strain. Even so, the 26-year-old right-hander remains unlikely to rejoin Chicago's rotation before the mid-July All-Star break. In 16 starts this year, Assad has produced a 3.04 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 33 walks in 83 innings for the Cubs and makes for a decent stash in most fantasy leagues. Righty swingman Hayden Wesneski will draw Tuesday's start at home, but he won't be a recommended DFS play or streaming option against a short-handed but dangerous Philadelphia Phillies lineup.

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Javier Assad (forearm) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) on Thursday with a right-forearm extensor strain. In corresponding moves, the Cubs signed right-hander Vinny Nittoli and moved right-hander Yency Almonte (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Assad's injury could help explain why he hasn't been as good in June, posting a 5.49 ERA with a .304 average against with 12 earned runs allowed in 19 2/3 innings over his four starts. Given the timing of the injury, the 26-year-old will not be able to rejoin the Cubbies' starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. It's unclear who will take Assad's rotation spot for an upcoming matchup this weekend against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Heading into June, Assad had an ERA under 3.00.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad stifled the Atlanta Braves for six sharp innings of four-hit baseball on Wednesday. Assad got the win, bringing his record to 4-0 while lowering his ERA to a sparkling 1.49, good for fourth-best in MLB. He had all of his pitches working Wednesday, tying a season-high seven strikeouts while allowing only one walk. Alongside lefty Shota Imanaga, Assad has given the Cubs one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball, with neither pitcher allowing more than two earned runs in a game all season. Assad looks to keep the streak intact with another start against these Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad continued his strong campaign during Sunday's start against the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander allowed only four hits over six scoreless innings during Sunday's win. The 26-year-old struck out four hitters while walking three batters during this outing. The Brewers got a few baserunners, but could never do anything with them. Assad has done a great job of limiting the damage throughout this season. He'll carry a 1.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 31/12 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad has been one of the most underrated pitchers this season. The right-hander continued his strong campaign against the Houston Astros on Thursday. Assad threw 5 2/3 innings while allowing only one run in a no-decision. The Cubs didn't decide to make noise with the bats until Assad was out of the game. Despite the no-decision, Assad remains a sleeper in fantasy leagues. His next matchup will come against the New York Mets next week.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad put together a quality start in his first outing of the season in Tuesday's victory versus the Colorado Rockies. Assad went six innings and allowed four hits, one walk and struck out five on the evening. Assad did not allow many balls to be put in play or hit hard against the Rockies and sailed his way to victory. Assad is pitching to stay in the rotation when Justin Steele (hamstring) and Jameson Taillon (back) eventually return, but he has been solid dating back to 2023. The worst-case scenario for Assad is that he'll be turned into a swingman, but he may not have to worry about if he continues to throw as he has. For now, he is best served as a streaming option and draws a tough matchup versus the San Diego Padres that he can be left on the bench for.

The Chicago Cubs have Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Kyle Hendricks, and Shota Imanaga locked into the top four spots in their starting rotation to begin the 2024 season, with Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, Hayden Wesneski and Jordan Wicks battling for the final spot in spring training. Right now, Assad and Wicks might have the edge for the fifth spot, but it's a coin flip, according to MLB's Jordan Bastian. Manager Craig Counsell wants to maintain flexibility with the last rotation spot, meaning there could be a shuttle between Triple-A Iowa and Chicago to build in extra rest for the starters. If Smyly doesn't win the job, he should fit in the bullpen. Assad, 26, had a strong 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 109 1/3 innings in 2023. Wicks, 24, a former first-rounder, had a 4.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in just 34 2/3 innings in his rookie season.

Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski are expected to compete for the fifth starting pitcher role during Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Former first-round pick Jordan Wicks is also in the mix, but Bastian notes that he's likely "better served" opening the year at Triple-A. That leaves three pitchers for presumably just one spot in the rotation, assuming the top four starters remain healthy and productive this spring. All three hurlers have potential; Assad limited hits and runs last year, Wesneski boasted a .224 OBA and 10.67 K/9 following the All-Star Break, and Smyly is a lefty with plenty of MLB experience. The two odd men out will be top candidates for a shift to the bullpen, even if temporary.

Chicago Cubs starting/relief pitcher Javier Assad will move back to the bullpen with Marcus Stroman making his return to the rotation, according to manager David Ross. Assad, who began the season in the bullpen, had been sharp filling in as a starter for the Cubs across 10 turns in the rotation. This move obviously dings his fantasy value, but with the regular season ending so soon, it shouldn't have too much of an impact. Assad owns a 3.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 79:39 K/BB ratio over 100 2/3 innings (28 games, 10 starts).

Chicago Cubs pitcher Javier Assad will look to avoid what appears to be inevitable regression Thursday when he takes on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a crucial matchup at Wrigley Field. The right-hander has made 25 appearances (seven starts) for the Cubs this season and has worked to a sterling 2.69 ERA in that time. However, the 26-year-old also sports a 4.20 FIP, 4.62 SIERA, and a 9.8% K-BB%, all of which suggest regression is on the horizon. Additionally, Assad sports a 2.25 ERA as a starter on the season but also a 4.61 FIP and 4.32 xFIP. His task won't be easy on Thursday as he takes on a capable D-backs offense that is tied for 10th with a .325 wOBA versus right-handed pitching this season.