Assad is likely competing with Hayden Wesneski, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and newcomer Shota Imanaga figure to be locked into rotation spots to begin the season, which leaves the No. 5 spot open. Assad made 10 starts and 32 total appearances for the Cubs last year, and the righty posted a strong 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 109.1 innings. While fantasy managers would prefer that Assad is starting, he did give the Cubs a good multi-inning bullpen weapon in 2023, and they may decide to stick him back in that role in 2024 if it helps the club win games.
Javier Assad Stellar in bulk relief role
Assad (5-3) earned the win in Saturday's 6-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two hits and a hit batsman over four scoreless innings. He struck out six without issuing any walks.
Analysis: It didn't take long for the 26-year-old to be used in his new role, tossing four scoreless frames in relief after Marcus Stroman lasted just three innings in his return to the rotation. Assad scattered two hits - a bunt single and a double - while throwing 36 of 49 pitches for strikes and earned his fifth win thanks to Chicago's late rally. If the righty is deployed in a similar fashion in his next appearance, it could come in the Cubs' final regular-season series in Milwaukee, but Saturday's low pitch count means we may see Assad sooner than that.
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