Assad came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Mets, allowing one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.
The 26-year-old righty didn't allow much hard contact, as all five hits off him were singles, and Assad tossed 55 of 78 pitches for strikes before leaving the mound with the score tied 1-1. He's had an impressive start to his campaign, and Assad will take a 1.97 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Brewers.
Assad didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Astros. He struck out five.
Although Assad was only at 85 pitches, he was pulled one out before becoming eligible for the quality start after allowing a pair of baserunners. Although Assad has completed six innings only once in five starts, he boasts a 2.00 ERA and a 26:9 K:BB with a 2-0 record. He's tentatively scheduled for a start against the Mets early next week.
Cubs' Javier Assad: Lasts 4.2 frames in no-decision
Rotowire
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 innings.
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.
Assad (2-0) allowed two runs on four hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Mariners. He walked one and struck out six.
Assad continues to pitch well, as he's now allowed two runs or fewer in all three of his outings this season. That's left the righty with a solid 2.16 ERA, and he's also struck out 18 batters in just 16.2 innings so far. While Jameson Taillon (back) is expected back in the rotation next week, the team may elect to keep Assad in the rotation as well based on how good he's been. If nothing else, he could be a high-end long reliever, though fantasy managers would prefer that Assad sticks as a starter. For now, his next start remains penciled in for Saturday against the Marlins, but that is subject to change once Taillon returns.
Assad pitched five-plus innings against San Diego on Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.
The Cubs staked Assad to an 8-0 lead through four frames, and he appeared well on his way to a win after completing five scoreless innings. However, the right-hander gave up a two-run homer to Jake Cronenworth before being pulled in the sixth, and the Padres went on to score five more runs in that frame along with two in the eighth to pull out an improbable comeback victory. Assad's overall line was pretty decent -- he struck out seven and allowed just six baserunners -- though he needed 104 pitches to get 15 outs. He figures to get at least a few more turns in the rotation to try to nail down a permanent starting role with Jameson Taillon (back) not yet ready to make his 2024 debut and Justin Steele (hamstring) out until May.
Assad (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 12-2 rout of the Rockies, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.
The 26-year-old right-hander got staked to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back, tossing 60 of 89 pitches for strikes as he delivered a quality start in his first trip to the mound this season. Assad posted solid numbers as a swingman last year, but with Jameson Taillon (back) not yet ready to make his 2024 debut and Justin Steele (hamstring) now out until May, he'll be needed in the rotation for at least the first month of the season. Assad lines up to make his next start early next week in San Diego.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Assad will begin the season in the rotation, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Jameson Taillon's back injury opened up another spot in the rotation and Assad has won it over Drew Smyly. The right-hander didn't pitch well this spring but has earned the shot with some fine work in a swingman role for the Cubs over the last two seasons with a 3.06 ERA.
