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Player Outlook
After a promising stint with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic over the offseason, Javier Assad settled in as a valuable swing man for the Cubs in 2023, though his role limited his fantasy value. He appeared in 32 games for Chicago, making 10 starts, and he posted a solid 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 94 strikeouts across 109.1 innings. Assad was useful in gobbling up innings out of the bullpen, but fantasy managers would rather see him start regularly than serve as a long reliever. That could happen in 2024, as veteran Marcus Stroman is a free agent and fellow veteran Drew Smyly struggled last year and may be ticketed for the bullpen at this point in his career. Hayden Wesneski is also still in the fold, though he didn't do a ton to stand out in 2023. The key question in spring training will be where the Cubs think Assad can make the biggest impact. If the righty is back in his swing role, fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere. However, if Assad breaks camp in the rotation, he could be ready for a breakout campaign.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 2337.3 109.3 5 3 94 41 3.05 1.23
2022 677.4 37.7 2 2 30 20 3.11 1.46
3y Avg. 1547.7 73.3 4 2 62 30 3.07 1.28
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Fantasy Performance by Week
5%
Roster
2%
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Fantasy News

  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Opening season in rotation

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: 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. 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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: In mix to start

    Assad is likely competing with Hayden Wesneski, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and newcomer Shota Imanaga figure to be locked into rotation spots to begin the season, which leaves the No. 5 spot open. Assad made 10 starts and 32 total appearances for the Cubs last year, and the righty posted a strong 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 109.1 innings. While fantasy managers would prefer that Assad is starting, he did give the Cubs a good multi-inning bullpen weapon in 2023, and they may decide to stick him back in that role in 2024 if it helps the club win games.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Stellar in bulk-relief role

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Cruises to fourth win

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Roughed up at Coors Field

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Impresses again in win

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Allows two runs in no-decision

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Tosses quality start Wednesday

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Picking up another start

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Sharp again Monday

    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.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Tosses three scoreless innings

    Assad tossed three scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 6-0 loss to the Guardians. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five. Assad looked sharp in the long-relief appearance and recorded a season high in strikeouts. The 25-year-old has pitched well lately, allowing one run over eight innings in his last three appearances. However, he's not pitching that frequently, as he's taken the mound just five times since the start of June. Assad has some talent, but his current role isn't particularly fantasy friendly.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Called up from Triple-A

    Chicago recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. Assad was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month after registering a 5.09 ERA over 17.2 innings with the Cubs in one start and four relief appearances. He'll rejoin the big club as a replacement in the bullpen for Nick Burdi, who was placed on the 15-day injured list after undergoing an appendectomy earlier Wednesday.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Recalled from Triple-A

    Assad was recalled Wednesday from Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Assad will presumably work out of the bullpen, though it's worth noting that the Cubs have yet to announce a starter for Thursday's series finale against the Nationals. The 25-year-old right-hander has allowed eight earned runs over 7.1 innings (one start, two relief appearances) this season at the MLB level.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Doesn't last long in spot start

    Assad allowed two runs on three hits across three innings and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Dodgers. He walked two and struck out three. Assad wasn't particularly efficient or effective, needing 62 pitches to retire nine batters while serving up two long balls. The righty was filling in for Jameson Taillon (groin), who was placed on the injured list and could return in early May after missing at least one more start. Assad isn't guaranteed to stick in the rotation but remains a candidate to serve as a fill-in starter.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Back in majors

    Assad was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will start against the Dodgers on Thursday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports. After being optioned down to Triple-A on April 10, Assad will return to the major-league roster less than two weeks later, as Jameson Taillon (groin) lands on the 15-day injured list. Assad has struggled in both the majors and minors this season, so he shouldn't be viewed as a reliable fantasy option.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Sent down to Triple-A

    The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday. Assad was needed for three innings in relief Sunday, so he wasn't going to be available for a few days. He will get stretched back out as a starter with Iowa.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Won't be in rotation

    Assad is expected to serve in a long-relief role for the Cubs to begin the season after Hayden Wesneski was named the team's No. 5 starter, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. Wesneski seemed like the favorite to win the job throughout camp, so Assad shifting to the minors or the MLB bullen has been on the radar. If he sticks with the Cubs, Assad could be a multi-inning relief weapon, a role he excelled in with Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic. The 25-year-old still has some upside and could be a starting option later in the year.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Likely ticketed for bullpen

    With Hayden Wesneski likely closing in on the fifth spot in the rotation, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Assad will probably begin the season in the bullpen. Assad has looked sharp this spring in limited work, but Wesneski has also turned heads, and the latter seems to have the inside track on a rotation spot. That will likely push Assad into a long-relief role, though he certainly could start at some point this year. The righty made his MLB debut last season and held his own across nine appearances (eight starts), registering a 3.11 ERA.
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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Finishes 2022 strong

    Assad tossed 5.1 scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to the Reds. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four. Assad left with the Cubs up 1-0, but Chicago's bullpen allowed three runs in the 3-2 loss. Despite not getting the win, Assad looked sharp in his 2022 finale. The rookie ended his campaign with 10.1 scoreless innings over his last two starts, which brought his ERA down to a strong 3.11 across 37.2 total innings. Assad should factor into the team's rotation mix to begin 2023, and he'll be a fantasy factor if he keeps pitching like this.
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