Javier Assad DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) has resumed playing catch at spring training. Assad is recovering from a mild oblique strain that he suffered early in spring training. As long as the 27-year-old doesn't suffer another setback as he begins to ramp up, he should have enough time to get fully stretched out for the start of the 2025 regular season. The injury certainly hasn't helped his chances of winning the team's final starting rotation spot, though, and he'll be competing primarily with Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown in spring training. Assad had a career-high workload in 2024 in his transition from the bullpen to a full-time starter, but his velocity was predictably down and he struck out just 7.59 hitters per nine innings. He had a 5.82 ERA in his final six starts and will merely be a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues if he wins a rotation spot.

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) has a mild oblique strain after he underwent testing on Monday. Manager Craig Counsell said there shouldn't be too many days without throwing for Assad. The 27-year-old could be slightly behind the other pitchers that report to spring training this week, but his injury doesn't sound serious enough to keep him from being ready on Opening Day in late March, barring a setback once he resumes throwing. Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd are locked into the starting rotation, so Assad will be competing with Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown for the final rotation spot in camp. Assad's injury may not help his cause, though, and he won't be a big fantasy target in deeper leagues if he wins a rotation spot because of his lack of strikeout upside.

Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad (oblique) and Brandon Birdsell (lat, shoulder) are both dealing with injuries, according to manager Craig Counsell. Assad is getting imaging done on his oblique on Monday, which will give the team a better idea of the severity of his injury. It's not great news for the 27-year-old with the start of spring training right around the corner, but if the injury isn't severe, he should still have enough time to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Assad is expected to compete for the final spot in Chicago's starting rotation this spring after going 7-6 with a career-high 3.73 ERA (4.64 FIP), 1.40 WHIP, a career-high 124 strikeouts and 63 walks in 147 innings over 29 starts in his third year in the majors. His numbers were decent, but he had an ERA just under 6.00 in his last six starts, and he could be due for regression if he wins a rotation spot again.