Javier Assad DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique), who has yet to pitch in 2025 due to an oblique strain that originally landed him on the 15-day injured list on March 17, is making progress and played catch on Monday for the first time since suffering a setback in his second minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on April 25. The Cubs eventually transferred Assad to the 60-day IL on April 30 to clear up a 40-man roster spot. The 27-year-old is making progress but still has a ways to go before the Cubs can consider him an option for their big-league pitching staff. He was a full-time starter for the first time in 2024 and held his own with a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124:63 K:BB in 147 innings over 29 starts. However, due to his injury this year, there's a good chance Assad will find himself back in Chicago's bullpen when he makes his 2025 debut.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) suffered a Grade 2 left-oblique strain after reinjuring the same side that flared up on him during spring training. Assad will be shut down and will essentially have to start rehab/throwing program from scratch again. The 27-year-old suffered the new injury during his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is now out indefinitely. It's a tough break for a pitcher who was getting close to being able to make his 2025 debut in the big leagues. With Assad having to start from scratch, fantasy managers in NL-only leagues shouldn't plan on having him available until sometime in June. Assad held his own in his transition to being a full-time starter in 2024, but his lack of strikeout stuff limits his fantasy upside to mainly NL-only formats. There's also no guarantee a rotation spot will be open for him when he's ready to return.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) felt discomfort in his side during his minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is on his way to Chicago to be examined by the team's medical staff. The 27-year-old injured his left oblique in spring training and opened the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list. Just when the Mexican hurler was getting close to a debut in the big leagues, he suffered a setback this week. In two rehab games with Iowa, Assad allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings. He did a respectable job in his transition to being a full-time start for the Cubbies in 2024, but Assad lacks a ton of fantasy upside because of a below-average strikeout rate. There's no timetable for his potential return to the majors, and when he is back, there's no guarantee he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him.