Unfortunately, no matter how consistent and reliable Javier Assad is for the Chicago Cubs, as long as he has minor league options, he’ll be the odd man out in order to maintain roster flexibility during the season. The right-hander has been great in whatever role he’s been asked to fill, but with the return of Daniel Palencia from the injured list, the Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A before Friday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners.
Assad has been yo-yoed between the active 26-man roster and Triple-A in the past week, going down first to make room for Edward Cabrera, then recalled after Cabrera only lasted one game before he went back on the injured list with a blister issue. Assad came into Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the White Sox, relieving Kevin Gausman in the fifth inning, when his left thumb cramped up. Assad pitched three shutout innings out of the bullpen, keeping the Cubs in the game before they rallied late to win it.
In 100 career MLB games, Assad has recorded a 3.43 ERA. So far in 2026, he’s made 10 starts, and in 22 total games covering 83.1 innings, he has a 3.46 ERA.
David Peterson is back in the starting rotation this weekend in Seattle. The Cubs also have a handful of other veterans without minor league options, including Aaron Civale, Trent Thornton, Caleb Thielbar, and Colin Rea.
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It certainly has to be a frustrating feeling for Assad, who has pitched well this year and throughout his career, but it’s also nothing new for the right-handed pitcher.
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You want to talk about two guys with completely opposite perceptions among the fan base: Javier Assad and Edward Cabrera. Assad can always be counted on in whatever role he needs to fill, and he does it without the flashiest stuff, while Cabrera possesses high-end velocity and nasty pitches but has quickly lost the trust of the Cubs.
Cabrera was activated from the injured list on Sunday to make his first start since June 23, but the right-hander is already back on the IL for the third time in 2026 and the second time for the same blister issue in his right middle finger. Assad was originally optioned to Triple-A to make room for Cabrera’s return and now he’s back on the team as the Cubs placed Cabrera on the 15-day injured list prior to Monday’s series opener against the White Sox.
Assad was one of three players who were added to the active roster ahead of Monday night’s game. Dansby Swanson is also headed to the injured list after suffering an oblique strain, which Craig Counsell hopes will only keep the shortstop out for four weeks. Meanwhile, James Triantos has been optioned to Triple-A and has been replaced by Owen Miller as the primary backup infielder. Kevin Alcántara is also back to be another right-handed bat off the bench.
Assad last pitched against the Washington Nationals, allowing a pair of solo home runs in a 12-6 win. He pitched four innings and earned the save. Assad has a 3.59 ERA in 80.1 innings this year, making 21 total appearances, including 10 starts.
Since June 7, when Assad was recalled from Triple-A, the right-handed pitcher has recorded a 2.48 ERA in 54.1 innings. During that stretch, he started seven games, went 3-0, recorded two saves, pitched at least three innings in 10 outings, and only allowed four or more runs once. Always ready to answer the call, Assad has become a beloved figure among Cubs fans as one of the team’s most unsung heroes.
In 99 career MLB games, Assad has a 3.46 ERA. He’ll most likely return to a bulk reliever role, with David Peterson potentially going back to the starting rotation, replacing Cabrera. By the way, the Cubs have seemingly decided not to trust Cabrera to be in the rotation once he returns from the 15-day injured list following his latest blister problem.
