The Chicago Cubs’ starting pitching depth took a hit on Saturday morning when manager Craig Counsell revealed that right-hander would miss the start of the season. He had been projected as the Cubs’ No. 5 starter but suffered an oblique injury early in spring training. Until Counsell’s update, there had been no word on his status. Along with confirming Assad’s absence to begin the season, Counsell mentioned that the right-hander would resume throwing off a mound next week for the first time since his injury.
In his MLB career, Javier Assad has posted a 3.40 ERA over 294 innings since debuting in 2022, appearing in more than 29 games in each of the past two seasons. His breaking pitches have been particularly effective, with opposing batters hitting just .178 against his curveball and .174 against his sweeper in 2024. He recorded 26 strikeouts with his curveball, second only to his sinker.
With Assad sidelined, the Cubs now have an open competition for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, making it a key storyline for the remainder of Spring Training. Upon his return, Assad is expected to begin in a long-relief role before working his way back into the starting rotation.