CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Jameson Taillon on the 15-day injured list because of a left groin strain.
Right-hander Javier Assad was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Assad was slated to start in the opener of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Cubs manager David Ross said Taillon got hurt while playing catch on flat ground in Oakland.
“Just felt a little something in the groin and didn’t feel like that’s something we should push,” Ross said. “It’s pretty sore. Got some work on, loosened up a little bit, but then some time went by, tightened back up. Hopefully it’s (a) minimal stay on the IL.”
The 31-year-old Taillon is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts in his first season with Chicago. He finalized a four-year contract with the Cubs in December that is worth roughly $68 million.
The IL stint was made retroactive.
Heading into the start against Los Angeles, the 25-year-old Assad had a 12.46 ERA in two relief appearances with the Cubs this season. He broke camp with the big league club and then was sent down on April 10.