Assad (5-3) earned the win in Saturday's 6-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two hits and a hit batsman over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He struck out six without issuing any walks.
It didn't take long for the 26-year-old to be used in his new role, tossing four scoreless frames in relief after Marcus Stroman lasted just three innings in his return to the rotation. Assad scattered two hits -- a bunt single and a double -- while throwing 36 of 49 pitches for strikes and earned his fifth win thanks to Chicago's late rally. If the righty is deployed in a similar fashion in his next appearance, it could come Thursday in Atlanta with Stroman again set to take the mound.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Relegated to bullpen
Rotowire
Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Assad will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
With Marcus Stroman returning to the rotation and starting Saturday, Assad will officially end up as the odd man out. The 26-year-old righty has given up eight runs over 13.2 innings across his last three starts and will serve as a multi-inning reliever during the Cubs' final push for a playoff berth.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Cruises to fourth win
Rotowire
Assad (4-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 14-1 rout of the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.
A Ke'Bryan Hayes solo shot in the third inning was the only blemish on Assad's line as the 26-year-old righty set a new career high for strikeouts in a game. Since getting fully stretched out and locking down a spot in the Cubs rotation in mid-August, Assad sports a 2.68 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB through 47 innings. He'll likely next take the mound this weekend at home against the Rockies.
Assad did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over 3.1 innings against the Rockies. He struck out four.
After lasting at least five innings in six consecutive starts, Assad fell short of the mark Tuesday. Despite allowing just five hits, he set a season high in runs and walks allowed. Assad is set up for a potential bounce-back opportunity next time out, however, as he's lined up to take on the Pirates at Wrigley early next week.
Assad (3-3) allowed three runs on seven hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He walked one and didn't have any strikeouts.
Assad pitched OK, but he couldn't match his last two starts, when he went seven innings each time and allowed just one earned run overall. The righty has been pushed into the rotation with Marcus Stroman (hip) out and Drew Smyly getting shifted into the bullpen. Assad has been solid all year with a 2.83 ERA across 92.1 innings, and he'll look to stay sharp in his next start, which is currently penciled in for next week against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Cubs' Javier Assad: Eight scoreless in no-decision
Rotowire
Assad did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing seven hits and one walk over eight scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss to the Reds. He struck out seven.
Assad was masterful Saturday, racking up seven strikeouts to match the career high that he set last time out against Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old righty was removed after eight innings with a 1-0 lead that Chicago's bullpen was unable to protect, sticking him with a tough-luck no-decision. Assad now has five consecutive outings going five-plus innings while allowing two or fewer earned runs, posting a 1.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 24:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings during that stretch. He'll look to continue his impressive string of starts next time out, which is projected to come at home against the Diamondbacks next week.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Impresses again in win
Rotowire
Assad improved to 3-2 in Sunday's 10-1 win over the Pirates, striking out seven while allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks over seven innings.
After allowing a run in the first inning, Assad rebounded to blank the Pirates over his next six frames while setting a season high with seven strikeouts. Assad's yet to allow more than two earned runs in five starts since rejoining the Cubs rotation, working to a 2.48 ERA in that span. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander has a 2.96 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 60:32 K:BB across 79 innings this season. Assad will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently lined up for next week in Cincinnati.
Cubs' Javier Assad: Allows two runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Assad did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.
Assad has been pitching well since filling in for Marcus Stroman (ribs) in Chicago's rotation, working to a 2.45 ERA in his last three starts (18.1 innings). Overall, the 26-year-old Assad is 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 53:30 K:BB across 72 innings this season. He's currently lined up to make his next start on the road against the Pirates.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Tosses quality start Wednesday
Rotowire
Assad allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Wednesday.
Marcus Stroman (hip/ribs) was originally expected to start Wednesday, but he had a setback that's keeping him on the injured list. Instead, Assad got another opportunity in the rotation and notched his second straight quality start. The right-hander opened with three scoreless frames before the White Sox tagged him for a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but Assad bounced back with a scoreless sixth before he was relieved. He's pitched well enough to remain a starter even after Stroman returns, though that scenario may depend on whether the Cubs elect to keep Drew Smyly in the bullpen or place him back in the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Likely to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Assad is likely to start for the Cubs on Wednesday versus the White Sox, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
Marcus Stroman (hip/ribs) was expected to return to the Cubs' rotation Wednesday but has suffered a setback and remains on the injured list. Assad tossed seven innings of one-run ball in an impressive start Friday against the Blue Jays and carries a 3.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB through 60.2 innings (three starts, 18 relief appearances) this year in a swingman role.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Sharp in second win
Rotowire
Assad (2-2) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over seven innings in a 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
The right-hander delivered his second big-league quality start in the longest outing of his career, tossing 58 of 90 pitches for strikes as he pitched to contact after the Cubs staked him to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Assad could return to the bullpen if Marcus Stroman (hip) is able to come off the IL and rejoin the rotation when first eligible Aug. 16, but the 26-year-old has been effective in any role. Through 60.2 innings this season, Assad has a 3.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Picking up another start
Rotowire
Assad is scheduled to start Friday's game in Toronto, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
After making what was expected to be a spot start in place of the injured Marcus Stroman (hip) last weekend versus Atlanta, Assad will end up sticking around in the rotation for at least one more turn as a replacement for Drew Smyly, who has been moved to the bullpen. Assad has worked exactly 3.2 frames in both of his last two outings, so the right-hander should be stretched out enough to reach five innings Friday and qualify for the win. The Cubs have a pair of off days next week, so Assad would seem likely to have his next turn in the rotation skipped following Friday's start.
Assad allowed two runs on five hits across 3.2 innings and didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-6 win over Atlanta. He walked two and recorded three strikeouts.
Assad pitched decently in his second start of the season, keeping the Cubs competitive before they went on to take the second game of the series. The righty snapped a stretch of five straight scoreless appearances, though he still has a strong 3.35 ERA this season. Though he was filling the spot in the rotation that previously belonged to the injured Marcus Stroman (hip), Assad is likely to head back to the bullpen in the near future. The Cubs have three off days coming up in the next two weeks and should be able to get by with a four-man rotation during that time.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Assad will start Saturday against Atlanta, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Assad has just one start in the majors this season but has done well in his role as a multi-inning reliever by putting up a 3.24 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 50 innings. The 26-year-old righty threw 3.2 innings and 62 pitches in his last appearance July 31, so he may not face much of a workload restriction.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Sharp again Monday
Rotowire
Assad tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief in Monday's loss to the Reds. He allowed one hit and three walks, while striking out four.
Assad continued his strong recent play, as he's now recorded five straight scoreless outings, a span of 11.1 innings. That's allowed the righty to lower his season ERA to 3.24. The Cubs don't need Assad in the rotation at the moment, so he should remain a valuable long-relief option, which doesn't do him any favors in fantasy leagues.
