Chicago Cubs right-hander is recovering from a slight left oblique injury suffered early in spring training. If he does not return to the mound this week, he may still have enough time to prepare for Opening Day. Assad entered the camp as the expected favorite to be the Cubs’ fifth starter. If he is not ready, Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks, and Ben Brown will compete to fill in.
His oblique injury was revealed last week after an MRI confirmed a mild strain. Manager Craig Counsell stated that the right-hander would be temporarily shut down from throwing to allow time for recovery. In the meantime, the Cubs’ rotation will proceed without him, with Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd filling out the starting staff.
Despite this setback, Assad remains an important part of the Cubs’ long-term plans. Last season, he made a strong impression in his first full year as a starter, posting a 3.73 ERA over 29 starts with 124 strikeouts and 63 walks across 147 innings. After previously splitting time between the bullpen and rotation in 2022 and 2023, his transition to a full-time starting role was a significant step forward.
Cubs’ Contingency Plans If Assad Isn’t Ready
If Assad is unavailable for the season opener, the Cubs are likely to turn to Rea, a free-agent signing from this offseason, as the most logical replacement. However, Wicks and Brown are also candidates for the spot. Brown, in particular, presents an intriguing option, though the Cubs may prefer to start him at Triple-A Iowa to keep him stretched out as a rotation piece.
There is also a possibility that Brown could begin the season in the bullpen, depending on how the team structures its pitching staff. Regardless, the Cubs will continue to closely monitor Assad’s progress as they finalize their rotation decisions.
