Javier

Assad

Colin Rea, Ben Brown and Assad are competing to make the Cubs as middle relievers but also to be first into the rotation should anything happen, and all three pitched today. Rea opened up with three scoreless frames, Brown followed by striking out three in two scoreless innings and Assad then kept the Dodgers scoreless through the eighth. Of the group, Rea is a lock to have a roster spot and Brown is most likely to open up in Triple-A. Assad is probably better than 50/50 to have a spot, but it’d certainly help his chances if someone got hurt.

Assad was a first-time arbitration eligible, so the option would cover his second year there. The 28-year-old Assad missed most of 2025, but he has a 3.43 ERA in 54 starts and 24 relief appearances for the Cubs since debuting in 2022. Alas, the missed time and the subpar peripherals have knocked him down the depth chart some, and he’ll enter camp no higher than seventh in line for the rotation. He could pitch out of the pen, but Triple-A is also a possibility.

Assad punched out six opposing hitters on the night while issuing only one base on balls. Two of the three hits that he allowed went for extra bases, but the 28-year-old hurler was able to bear down and ensure that neither of those runners came around to score. He got 10 swings and misses on 79 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of 25 percent. Assad wraps up the 2025 season with a 4-1 record, 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 23/12 K/BB ratio over 37 innings in eight appearances (seven starts) with the Cubs.

Assad tossed two scoreless frames, then gave up two runs on three hits in the third. Assad gave the Cubs one more scoreless inning, ending his day after four frames with two strikeouts on 74 pitches. The 28-year-old right-hander is in line to finish out the regular season with a matchup against the Cardinals in Chicago next weekend.

Assad wasn’t at his best but didn’t have to be with the Cubs giving him double-digit run support. The 28-year-old allowed only three hits, but he issued a pair of walks and gave up a two-run homer to Luis Garcia. Assad has been serviceable since rejoining the Chicago rotation, and he’ll pitch against Atlanta on Wednesday.

Assad was far from dominant, as he allowed seven hits and walked two while striking out a single batter. The 28-year-old was able to limit the damage outside of a two-run sixth, and he gets his first win of the 2025 season. Assad will remain in the rotation with the Jameson Taillon (groin) injury, and he’ll be back on the bump against the Nationals on Friday.

Assad will take the ball on Saturday against the Rockies at Coors Field in place of an injured Jameson Taillon (groin). The 28-year-old hurler has compiled a respectable 3.86 ERA across 14 innings (three starts) this season at the highest level. He’s not a recommended streaming option for fantasy given the location of the outing.

The 28-year-old right-hander was terrific in Friday night’s victory over the Angels, giving up just one run over six innings against the Angels, so it’s a bit surprising that he’s not earning another start for the Cubs. Perhaps he’ll be back again next week if the Cubs need to place someone else on the injured list.

Assad’s return to the Chicago pitching staff was a good one. He allowed just two hits — one of them a solo homer — and he walked one and struck out four. The 28-year-old has likely earned another turn in the rotation Friday against the lowly Rockies.

Assad had just been optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, but he’ll return to the Cubs with Ryan Brasier (groin) landing on the injured list. The 28-year-old right-hander will start for the Cubs on Friday evening against the Angels.