Javier Assad
Breakdown
Performance
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June 8, 2026
Excels in extended relief outing
Assad allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to San Francisco.
Analysis
With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) exiting with no outs in the second inning, Assad was called upon to eat innings and did so brilliantly. His five strikeouts marked a season high, and the right-hander now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings over nine appearances (three starts). If Taillon requires a stint on the injured list, Assad is a logical candidate to step into the rotation.
June 6, 2026
Back with big club
The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Analysis
Assad owns a 5.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 26 innings in the big leagues this season, and he hasn't been much better since being sent down to Iowa on May 17 (6.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Despite his recent struggles, he'll rejoin the Cubs to provide a fresh arm capable of going multiple innings out of the bullpen. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
