JAVIER ASSAD NEWS

Serves up three homers in defeat Assad (7-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Impact Assad's final start of the season turned out to be his worst, allowing a season-worst eight earned runs on six extra-base hits, including three home runs. Assad limped to the finish line in 2024, allowing three or more earned runs in five of his final six starts, posting an ugly 5.82 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB during that span. Although he ended on a sour note, the 27-year-old set career-highs in innings pitched (147) and strikeouts (124), finishing the season with a respectable 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124:63 K:BB in 29 starts.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in no-decision Assad did not factor into the decision in a win over the Nationals on Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out five.

Impact The Nationals got to Assad early, tagging the right-hander for one run in the opening frame and two more in the third after he allowed hits to three of the first five batters he faced in the inning. The 27-year-old would still manage to get through five frames for the sixth-consecutive outing, though he's now winless over his last three starts. Assad has also posted five strikeouts in each of his last three starts, while Thursday's start marked the first time in his last four outings that he didn't walk multiple batters.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes Coors with no-decision Assad came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Rockies, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Impact The big blow off Assad came in the second inning when Hunter Goodman launched a two-run homer, but the right-hander otherwise minimized the damage and got taken off the hook for the loss when the Cubs tied the game in the top of the eighth. Assad hadn't been tagged with more than three runs in an outing since June 23, and over his last 10 starts he sports a 3.27 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB through 52.1 innings. He'll look for a better result in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the A's.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Allows one earned run in loss Assad (7-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Impact Assad allowed one run in the first inning and then tossed four scoreless frames before being lifted and charged with an unearned run in the sixth. Despite the loss, the 27-year-old has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his past 10 appearances. On the season, he owns a 3.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 111:56 across 131.2 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Rockies next week.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Logs quality start in win Assad (7-4) earned the win against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Impact Assad allowed nine hard-hit balls and generated just two swinging strikes on 90 pitches but performed well enough to earn his second straight quality start. The 27-year-old has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his eight outings since the All-Star break, though he has failed to complete five frames in half of them. On the season, he owns a 3.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 106:53 K:BB across 126 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Assad regroups after 1st, delivers season-high 7 innings MIAMI -- Javier Assad had a tough first inning on Sunday afternoon, surrendering a pair of solo homers to Connor Norby and Jesús Sánchez. Bu...

AUGUST 25 • MLB.COM

Goes seven innings in loss Assad (6-4) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings, taking the loss versus the Marlins on Sunday.

Impact Assad gave up solo home runs to Connor Norby and Jesus Sanchez in the first inning, and the Cubs never recovered from that. Despite the early struggles, Assad was able to grind out seven innings for the first time this year on an efficient 87 pitches (59 strikes) to earn his first quality start in five outings in August. He's pitched to a 3.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 102:51 K:BB through 120 innings over 24 starts this season. The right-hander's next start is projected to be on the road against the Nationals.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Seven Ks in sixth win Assad (6-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 3-1 victory over the Tigers. He struck out seven.

Impact The seven Ks were the most for the right-hander since June 17, and Assad tossed 59 of 95 pitches for strikes as he fell just short of his fifth quality start of the season. He has yet to give up more than three runs in an outing since he recovered from a forearm strain and rejoined the Cubs' rotation just before the All-Star break, delivering a 3.30 ERA over his last 30 innings despite a worrying 20:17 K:BB and 1.60 WHIP. Assad will try to keep walking that tightrope in his next start, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Miami.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Covers four innings again Wednesday Assad allowed two runs on three hits across four innings in Wednesday's start against the Twins. He walked two and struck out one.

Impact Assad was lifted after tossing 75 pitches, and for the second straight start, he covered just four innings. The righty was fairly effective while in the contest, though the Cubs seem to be watching his workload closely. Assad logged a career-high 109.1 innings last season, working mostly as a long reliever. Now serving exclusively as a starter, the 27-year-old is up to 102.2 innings this year. Assad is penciled in to take the mound again next Wednesday against the Guardians, and his fantasy value will remain capped if he's not allowed to work deeper into the game.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Lasts just four innings vs. Cards Assad did not factor into the decision Friday against St. Louis, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.

Impact Assad was lucky to escape Friday's outing with just one run against him, particularly in the third inning when the Cards could only score once after loading the bases. However, Assad ultimately failed to qualify for a win as he was removed prior to the fifth inning after needing 97 pitches to get through four. Walks have been a struggle for Assad lately -- the 27-year-old right-hander's now issued 10 free passes in his last three starts (13.1 innings). Overall, he's 5-3 on the season with a 3.19 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 89:45 K:BB across 98.2 innings. Assad will look to improve his command in his next start, currently lined up for next week at home against Minnesota.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Wins with quality start Assad (5-3) yielded three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Royals.

Impact Assad was tagged with two runs in the first inning but was able to shake it off and deliver a quality start. The only damage against him after that was a solo shot by Freddy Fermin. Assad completed six innings for the first time since May 15, which was also his last win. During that nine-start span between wins, he posted a 5.13 ERA and a 5.8 BB/9 over 40.1 frames. Assad now owns a 3.23 ERA with an 86:42 K:BB through 19 outings. His next start is projected to be at home against the Cardinals.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Walks six in no-decision Assad did not factor into the decision in Monday's 3-1 win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit and six walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

Impact Assad made his second appearance since missing time with a forearm strain and was unable to locate the zone, issuing a career worst six free passes in this 76-pitch performance. He's now yielded eight walks across 6.2 innings over his last two starts. Overall, the Cubs righty sports to a 3.15 ERA in 88.2 innings; however, he may be unable to maintain that mark, as the 26-year-old has pitched to subpar 4.61 FIP and 4.2 BB/9. Assad is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Royals on the road this weekend.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Walks six in no-decision Assad did not factor into the decision in Monday's 3-1 win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit and six walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

Impact Assad made his second appearance since returning from a forearm strain and was unable to locate the strike zone, issuing a career-worst six free passes and needing 76 pitches to record 10 outs. He's now yielded eight walks across 6.2 innings since coming off the IL. Overall, the Cubs righty sports a 3.15 ERA in 88.2 innings, but he may be unable to maintain that mark given his subpar 4.61 FIP and 4.2 BB/9. Assad is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Royals on the road this weekend.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Pitch count limited in return Assad came away with a no-decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. He failed...

Impact Out since June 23 with a forearm strain, Assad was activated from the IL without having gone on a rehab assignment, so the poor results aren't a big surprise. The right-hander was lifted after 44 pitches (29 strikes) having served up first-inning solo shots to Masyn Will and Willson Contreras, and keeping the ball in the park was an issue for Assad prior to the injury as well -- he's been tagged for 10 homers in his last eight starts and 37 innings, posting a 5.59 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB over that stretch. Despite those numbers, the 26-year-old will likely remain in the Cubs' rotation following the All-Star break.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Activated, starting nightcap The Cubs reinstated Assad (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact A forearm strain has kept Assad on the IL since June 27, and he'll now return to start the second game of Chicago's doubleheader versus the Cardinals. The 26-year-old righty owns a 3.04 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through 16 starts on the year, though his numbers jump up to a 5.04 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across his five most recent outings. He'll officially serve as the Cubs' 27th man for Saturday's twin bill, though he'll almost certainly remain with the team following his start.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Pre-break return possible Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Sunday that Assad (forearm) could be activated from the injured list prior to the All-Star break, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Heraldreports.

Impact The right-hander landed on the shelf in late June with a strained forearm, but he wasn't shut down from throwing for long and had a bullpen session Friday. The Cubs have a doubleheader Saturday in St. Louis, and that would be a logicial point for him to be re-insterted into the rotation ahead of the All-Star break.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Throws bullpen session Assad (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Assad is just a little over a week removed from landing on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm extensor strain, so it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to throw off the bump. The Cubs have a doubleheader on July 13, and Assad being ready by that date could be in the cards if all goes well.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Throws bullpen session Assad (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Assad is just a little over a week removed from landing on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm extensor strain, so it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to throw off the bump. The Cubs have a doubleheader July 13, and Assad being ready by that date could be in the cards if all goes well.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Javier Assad, Cubs look to reverse trend against Giants Right-hander Javier Assad will look to snap his five-game winless streak on Monday when the Chicago Cubs host the San Francisco Giants in th...

JUNE 17 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Javier Assad, Cubs look to reverse trend against Giants Right-hander Javier Assad will look to snap his five-game winless streak on Monday when the Chicago Cubs host the San Francisco Giants in th...

JUNE 17 • SACBEE.COM

Takes step back Tuesday Assad allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Tuesday.

Impact Assad gave up a two-run home run to Orlando Arcia in the second inning and a solo shot to Michael Harris in the fourth. The five walks were also a season high, and it was the fourth time this season Assad has issued three or more free passes. For the season, he's at a 1.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB through 53 innings across 10 starts. He's had little trouble with the long ball this year, so it's safe to assume he'll continue to find success in run prevention if he can keep the ball down. The right-hander is projected for a road start in St. Louis his next time out.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs' Javier Assad aims for repeat performance vs. Braves Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad will try to duplicate his most recent outing against the Atlanta Braves when the teams open a three-g...

MAY 21 • KANSASCITY.COM

Javier Assad, Cubs blank Brewers Chicago’s Nico Hoerner sparked a three-run frame in the fifth inning to break a scoreless stalemate, while Javier Assad pitched six shutout...

MAY 5 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Lasts 4.2 frames in no-decision 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 inn...

Impact 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.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Seems destined for bullpen role Assad is likely to secure an Opening Day bullpen role in Chicago, with Jordan Wicks serving as the No. 5 starter, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Assad, Wicks and Hayden Wesneski have been competing for the last rotation spot in camp, but the lefty Wicks seems likely to emerge there. That could push Wesneski down to the minors and send Assad into a long-relief role. The righty excelled in a similar role last year, posting a 3.05 ERA across 109.1 innings, though Assad would have more fantasy value if he's able to start regularly at some point in 2024.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE