The Chicago Cubs just took a major hit, and fans won’t like this one. One of their key pitchers, expected to hold a crucial spot in the rotation, will be sidelined to start the season. The uncertainty surrounding his condition had lingered for weeks—until manager Craig Counsell finally delivered an update.
That pitcher is none other than Javier Assad. The right-hander, who was projected to fill the No. 5 spot in the Cubs’ rotation, has been dealing with an oblique injury sustained early in spring training. While there had been little news on his status, Counsell’s latest announcement shed some light—Assad is set to resume throwing off a mound next week, marking his first bullpen session since the setback.
Throughout his MLB career, Assad has been a reliable arm, posting a 3.40 ERA across 294 innings. Since debuting in 2022, he has appeared in at least 29 games in each of the last two seasons. His breaking pitches have become his signature weapons, holding opponents to a .178 batting average against his curveball and .174 against his sweeper in 2024. He recorded 26 strikeouts with the curveball, trailing only his sinker.
With Assad sidelined, the battle for the Cubs’ final rotation spot is wide open, making it one of the most intriguing storylines of spring training. When he returns, Assad is expected to ease back into action as a long reliever before working his way back into the starting role he was poised to claim.
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