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Cubs To Select Javier Assad

By Anthony Franco | August 22, 2022 at 9:39pm CDT

The Cubs are planning to promote right-hander Javier Assad to start the first game of tomorrow’s doubleheader against the Cardinals, manager David Ross told reporters (including Mark Gonzales). Chicago will need to formally select his contract, although that’s a formality considering they already have an opening on the 40-man roster.

It’ll be the first MLB appearance for the 25-year-old Assad, who has spent the past seven years progressing up the minor league ladder. A member of the organization’s 2015-16 international signing class, the Mexico native has a 3.96 ERA in a bit more than 500 professional innings. That includes a sterling 2.66 mark in 108 1/3 frames this year, split between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. Assad has fanned a solid 24.8% of opponents between the minors top two levels against just a 7.8% walk percentage.

The 6’1″ hurler has never been a top prospect, and the Cubs left him off the 40-man roster last offseason and were prepared to make him available to other teams in the Rule 5 draft (which never happened as a consequence of the lockout). There’s little quibbling with his results at the upper levels of the system this year, however, and he’s earned an opportunity to try to carve out a longer-term role on the pitching staff.

Chicago is without Kyle Hendricks, Adbert Alzolay, Keegan Thompson, Wade Miley and Alec Mills at present. Justin Steele has developed into a solid starter, and the Cubs have veterans Marcus Stroman and Drew Smyly taking consistent turns through the rotation. Journeyman Adrian Sampson has done a nice job holding a spot at the back end, but Thompson’s placement on the injured list over the weekend leaves a vacancy in the regular starting five.

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Chicago Cubs Transactions Javier Assad

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View Comments (35)
Post a Comment

35 Comments

  1. Animalize

    3 years ago

    Only time will tell if he kicks Assad, or if MLB hitters will blank him up the Assad.

    2
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      3 years ago

      I just hope he doesn’t make an Assad of himself.

      1
      Reply
  2. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    This dude has quietly rebuilt some prospect stock this year.

    1
    Reply
  3. tstats

    3 years ago

    Not Assad day for him and his family

    3
    Reply
  4. CalcetinesBlancos

    3 years ago

    Assad he would be called up soon, and I was correct.

    4
    Reply
  5. Dumpster Divin Theo

    3 years ago

    Every cowboy sings Assad sad song

    4
    Reply
    • CalcetinesBlancos

      3 years ago

      This one was good.

      1
      Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        3 years ago

        Cub puns write themselves

        2
        Reply
        • The Baseball Fan (Doesn’t like the White Sox)

          3 years ago

          While the Sox’ joke is their disappointing season.

          8
          Reply
  6. Dumpster Divin Theo

    3 years ago

    Assad hurler for a sad franchise

    2
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      3 years ago

      Will it be Assad- er day, when Jerry announces Tony will be back as mgr for 2023, or when Moncada gets an extension, or when Grandal gets off the IL?

      2
      Reply
  7. allweatherfan

    3 years ago

    Don’t quit your day jobs.

    3
    Reply
  8. Tick Tock Clock

    3 years ago

    Assad Assad Assad. Did I say it enough times?? Hee Hee FuNnY!!

    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      3 years ago

      Can’t spell FuNnY without NY

      1
      Reply
    • CalcetinesBlancos

      3 years ago

      You didn’t even try.

      Reply
  9. Lloyd Emerson

    3 years ago

    Assad Nestor me up.

    Reply
  10. fearthecub

    3 years ago

    The other Javier Assad he left Chicago for Detroit.

    Reply
  11. Steve Rogers

    3 years ago

    I believe the Cubs are showcasing him for a future trade.

    Reply
    • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

      3 years ago

      It’s possible because the Cubs have way too many candidates for the 40-man overall. But with Hendricks’ health status and effectiveness both questionable, I think they will keep Assad and let him shuttle between Iowa and Chicago, maybe transitioning to the 3 inning reliever role which Thompson had at the beginning of this season before all the rotation injuries.

      Reply
      • Dogbone

        3 years ago

        Trust me Steve and Brick, if Assad shows any promise that he could help the Cubs next year, he will be treasured- they would have no desire to trade a potential starting pitcher. Now, if someone is looking for a young, RH hitting OFer, the Cubs would be happy to discuss that with them.

        1
        Reply
      • User 163535993

        3 years ago

        There are 5 40 man slots that can be opened up right now. EASILY 5. Schwindel, Rivas, are behind Mervis and Young at IOWA! Bote is owed penuts for the next 2 years and really has no use anymore. Miley? Why is he even still here? Sept. Playoff push? Mills , Hermisillo, and just look at the list and you’ll see lots of weeds that can be dug out easily.

        2
        Reply
  12. Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

    3 years ago

    Assad might get his brains beat in today, but he really deserves the call up, as opposed to various organizational filler such as Luke Farrell and Matt Swarmer. Hopefully they don’t burn the option on him and let him take Thompson’s role in the rotation for three or four starts.

    Reply
    • NickTheDev

      3 years ago

      Brains beat in? I’m sure it won’t be THAT bad… geez.

      4
      Reply
      • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

        3 years ago

        Well I hope he does well, but even if he gives up 5 ER in 2 2/3 (the metaphorical equivalent of getting his brains beat in), it’s still better than seeing Luke Farrell.

        Reply
  13. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    3 years ago

    It’s surprising to me how few Mexico born players make it to MLB. Especially after Fernando Valenzuela being a star in the 1980’s. I can only think of a couple guys offhand currently Julio Urias and Alejandro Kirk. Of course there’s Oliver Perez but I think he’s winding his career down. It just seems weird the majority of foreign born players come from the DR when Mexico is much closer.

    1
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      3 years ago

      Do you think it might have something to do with the quality of the competition they play with/vs, as they grow up? As well as the emphasis on that sport, in their respective countries.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        Mexico has the second best league on the continent, no?

        Reply
    • Hubert

      3 years ago

      Urias, Gallegos, Urquidy

      Reply
    • BmoreBallistics

      3 years ago

      Look at their culture and size.. they gravitate towards soccer and boxing. And now as if late mma.

      Reply
    • Animalize

      3 years ago

      @Mercenary: I was thinking that exact same thing the other day while watching an old Fernando start.

      Reply
  14. User 163535993

    3 years ago

    Asad has earned at least this start and maybe more. He’s just more proof that Hawkins Minor League instructional staff led by Mosko is finally teaching the Cubs young arms how to move up through the system. With 2020 and 2021 being mostly wasted development seasons teams throughout baseball are facing guys being bunched up through the system and being fast tracked. Hawkins is doing a really nice job of drafting and developing arms so now lets see if Hoyer is his own man or follows the Theo method of trading all the draft picks for other talent. There are great arms all through the system. Callis and friends even moved them up to 10th in the farm rankings but ranking them below the Rangers is an insult. So if a fool like him noticed maybe other people will believe what I’ve been saying for 6 months. There is a plan, hope they stick to it.

    3
    Reply
  15. los_leebos

    3 years ago

    Of course the first Syrian player in MLB history would be Bashar’s son…

    Reply
  16. cubsmatt

    3 years ago

    Good start for Javier, out-pitched Wainwright today, the future looks bright!

    Reply
    • Led Hoyer

      3 years ago

      Cubs are finally starting to produce a steady stream of mlb arms. I can’t wait to see what they can do with these top recent draft picks.

      Reply
    • egrossen

      3 years ago

      4 IP, 4 BB, 4 H, 0 R… he did not out-pitch anyone. He got very lucky.

      Reply

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