Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad will "likely move into the bullpen" with right-hander Jameson Taillon (groin) scheduled to come off the 15-day injured list to make the start against the Atlanta Braves in the series finale on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Assad has had an injury-plagued 2025 season and has only made five starts (25 1/3 innings) at the big-league level for the Cubs. The former full-time reliever has been inconsistent, too, as he's sporting a career-worst 4.62 ERA (4.88 FIP) with a 1.26 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in his fourth season in the majors. Assad will now return to the bullpen, where he's been much more effective in his career. He had a 3.05 ERA in 109 1/3 innings back in 2023, although he's never been much of a strikeout artist. Assad will lose what little fantasy appeal he had with the move to the 'pen.

The Chicago Cubs have recalled right-hander Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday against the Colorado Rockies, according to Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. He'll take over for righty Jameson Taillon (groin), who's going on the 15-day injured list with tightness in his left groin. After missing the first four-plus months of the season with an oblique strain, Assad made his 2025 debut on Aug. 12 and has spent the past couple of weeks ping-ponging between the majors and the minors. He has made three starts for Chicago and pitched to a 3.86 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP, nine strikeouts, and three walks in 14 innings. He'll return to face Colorado, which has scored the majors' second-fewest runs, though he'll have to toe the rubber at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Chicago Cubs recalled right-hander Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, and he will make the start in the series opener in Anaheim against the hosting Los Angeles Angels, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. In a corresponding move, the Cubs put right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier (groin) on the 15-day injured list with a strained left groin. Depending on how Assad fares in his outing on Friday night, the 28-year-old could stick around in Chicago's starting rotation with right-hander Michael Sorka (shoulder) on the IL. This will be only Assad's third start of the year for the Cubs due to injuries in 2025. He allowed five earned runs on 13 hits (one homer) while walking two and fanning five in eight innings in his two starts versus Toronto and Pittsburgh. The former reliever has limited strikeout upside and won't be a very popular fantasy streamer on Friday evening.

The Chicago Cubs have optioned right-hander Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa and recalled lefty Luke Little, according to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network. Assad missed the first four-plus months of the season with an oblique strain and finally returned Aug. 12 to make two starts. The 28-year-old combined for eight frames in those outings and went 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA, 13 hits allowed, and five strikeouts against two walks. After Assad threw four innings of one-run ball in a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, the Cubs are sending him down as Jameson Taillon (calf) prepares to come off the 15-day injured list and rejoin the rotation.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad bounced back nicely during his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The right-hander was hit around for four runs on eight hits during his first start of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays. Assad looked much better on the mound this time around. He tossed four innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out three batters. Assad was limited to 65 pitches as the Cubs want to give him a chance to build up his stamina. It's unclear if Assad will remain in the starting rotation once Jameson Taillon (calf) returns. Fantasy managers might want to wait and see what happens before adding Assad.

The Chicago Cubs reinstated right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, according to the team. Assad is expected to start on Tuesday night on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays instead of right-hander Ben Brown, who was originally listed as Tuesday's starter. In a corresponding move, the team optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Triple-A Iowa. The 28-year-old Assad will be making his 2025 debut at Rogers Centre against the first-place Blue Jays, so we'd recommend avoiding him in his first start back in a bad matchup. Assad pitched well in the minors during his rehab assignment and could be an option for fantasy managers in a pinch in deeper leagues. The Mexican hurler had his first full season as a starter last year and held his own with a 3.73 ERA, but it also came with a 1.40 WHIP and weak 7.6 K/9 in 29 starts.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (oblique) threw 53 pitches in Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday night, going 3 2/3 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits with a pair of strikeouts. Assad posted three scoreless innings on July 24 in a rehab outing in the Arizona Complex League, threw a bullpen session on July 27, and then made Wednesday's start. The 28-year-old righty went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA and 4.64 FIP in 29 starts for the Cubs last year but has yet to make his 2025 season debut due to an oblique strain suffered in mid-February and re-aggravated in a rehab outing in mid-April. At this point, Assad will likely need another start or two in Triple-A, but he could be ready to join the Cubs by the middle of August. Chicago's rotation will have a new look after the team added Michael Soroka from the Nationals and could potentially add another arm at the trade deadline. Getting Assad back in the mix as well will give more depth and options down the stretch, as the team battles the Brewers for the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) had a nice showing in his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, tossing three shutout innings with one hit allowed, no walks and six strikeouts. It wasn't a bad showing at all, even if it wasn't against great competition, for Assad's first outing since April. The 27-year-old has been out all season, so he has a ways to go in his rehab assignment and won't be an option for the big-league club until at least mid-August, if not later. It's unclear if Assad will have a rotation spot waiting for him when he comes off the injured list, but he could have an opportunity based on the fact that lefty Justin Steele (elbow) is out for the year and Jameson Taillon (calf) is also on the IL. Still, Assad offers limited fantasy upside with a career 7.6 K/9 in 294 innings.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday, according to manager Craig Counsell. Assad suffered a Grade 2 left-oblique strain in his April 22 outing with Triple-A Iowa and has not pitched for the Cubs at all so far in 2025. The 27-year-old initially went on the 15-day injured list back on March 18 but was moved to the 60-day IL on April 30 after aggravating his oblique. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Assad could be cleared to make his season debut for the Cubs at some point in August. However, since Assad could very well be relegated to a long-relief role out of the bullpen, he won't be a big fantasy asset upon his return. He made a career-high 29 starts for Chicago in 2024 and had a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124:63 K:BB in 147 innings.

According to the team, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (oblique) has continued to remain in the bullpen sessions phase of his throwing program as he steadily works toward live batting practice the next step in his rehabilitation. The 27-year-old is still battling back from a nagging oblique injury that's plagued him since spring training. Assad appeared to be nearing a return in April, but a setback has robbed him of even more time. Currently, Chicago believes he'll still be able to contribute in 2025 and has tentatively scheduled him for a return in mid-August. Depending on how the remainder of his rehab goes, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Cubs be stingy with his workload when he rejoins the major league roster.

Chicago Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins says it's "reasonable" to expect right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) to contribute in the second half of the season and referenced August/September as a tentative timetable. It's been an injury-plagued season for Assad, who initially strained his left oblique during spring training and then aggravated the injury in late April while rehabbing. The 27-year-old resumed a throwing program in late May, but he obviously has a ways to go before he'll be able to contribute to the Cubs' pitching staff in the second half. When Assad does return from the injured list, fantasy managers should probably expect him to be in a relief role, which will limit his already minimal fantasy impact down the stretch. In a full-time starting role in 2024, Assad went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124:63 K:BB in 147 frames.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique), who has yet to pitch in 2025 due to an oblique strain that originally landed him on the 15-day injured list on March 17, is making progress and played catch on Monday for the first time since suffering a setback in his second minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on April 25. The Cubs eventually transferred Assad to the 60-day IL on April 30 to clear up a 40-man roster spot. The 27-year-old is making progress but still has a ways to go before the Cubs can consider him an option for their big-league pitching staff. He was a full-time starter for the first time in 2024 and held his own with a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124:63 K:BB in 147 innings over 29 starts. However, due to his injury this year, there's a good chance Assad will find himself back in Chicago's bullpen when he makes his 2025 debut.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) suffered a Grade 2 left-oblique strain after reinjuring the same side that flared up on him during spring training. Assad will be shut down and will essentially have to start rehab/throwing program from scratch again. The 27-year-old suffered the new injury during his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is now out indefinitely. It's a tough break for a pitcher who was getting close to being able to make his 2025 debut in the big leagues. With Assad having to start from scratch, fantasy managers in NL-only leagues shouldn't plan on having him available until sometime in June. Assad held his own in his transition to being a full-time starter in 2024, but his lack of strikeout stuff limits his fantasy upside to mainly NL-only formats. There's also no guarantee a rotation spot will be open for him when he's ready to return.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) felt discomfort in his side during his minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is on his way to Chicago to be examined by the team's medical staff. The 27-year-old injured his left oblique in spring training and opened the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list. Just when the Mexican hurler was getting close to a debut in the big leagues, he suffered a setback this week. In two rehab games with Iowa, Assad allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings. He did a respectable job in his transition to being a full-time start for the Cubbies in 2024, but Assad lacks a ton of fantasy upside because of a below-average strikeout rate. There's no timetable for his potential return to the majors, and when he is back, there's no guarantee he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (oblique) left his rehab start early on Tuesday after grabbing at his side while warming up for the fifth inning. This certainly isn't good news for the right-hander, especially since it appears like a re-aggravation of the oblique injury that he is rehabbing. There should be more updates after he is evaluated further, but it looks like he will have to wait even longer before making his return to the major league roster.

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.