Javier Assad Fantasy Stats

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Javier Assad is not a strikeout play, but he is at least back in the rotation conversation after Sunday's useful turn against St. Louis. The 28-year-old held the Cardinals to two hits and two walks over 4 2/3 scoreless innings on July 5, though he only struck out two and did not factor into the decision. Assad now owns a 6-1 record, 4.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings, with seven starts and seven relief appearances. That last part matters. Assad has helped the Cubs as a swingman, and his 5.27 K/9 and 5.11 FIP make this more of a matchup/volume play than a breakout arm. Still, ratios and wins can matter in deeper leagues. With RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings listing him at 11% rostered, Assad fits 15-team formats or NL-only leagues for managers who need a back-end starter while the role holds.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad will rejoin the team's starting rotation on Sunday in the series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Assad has been a valuable swing man for Chicago's banged-up starting rotation this year, going 6-1 with a 4.53 ERA (5.24 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51 2/3 innings pitched across 13 appearances (six starts). The 28-year-old Mexican native has been slightly better in a starting role with a 4.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 20:7 K:BB in 32 1/3 frames. Assad was hit around a bit in his last outing on June 30 against the San Diego Padres, allowing four earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out just one in 2 2/3 innings out of the 'pen. And in his last three outings, he has given up nine earned runs on 15 hits (six homers) while walking four and fanning seven in 13 1/3 innings. Assad could continue to make starts for the Cubbies going into the second half, but once the rotation gets healthier, he's likely ticketed for more of a long-relief role in Chicago.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad came out of the bullpen and took a step backward in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the San Diego Padres, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings. All four runs came on eighth-inning homers by Gavin Sheets and Fernando Tatis Jr. The rough appearance raised Assad's season ERA to 4.53, though he still carries a solid 1.12 WHIP through 51 2/3 innings. One bad night should not completely wipe away his recent work. From June 7 through June 24, Assad posted a 1.96 ERA and 0.78 WHIP across 23 innings while making three starts and one long-relief appearance. His role is now the bigger question after coming out of the bullpen in Tuesday's game. Despite the rough performance, Assad has been solid enough this season to be added in 15-team formats. Managers in standard 12-team leagues can wait until Chicago gives him another start and keeps him in the starting rotation.

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.