Javier Assad Could Rejoin Cubs Rotation Soon
The right-hander is building his pitch count in Triple-A, positioning himself to replace a struggling Jordan Wicks. After reaching 78 pitches, Assad's return could stabilize the North Siders' starting five.
Video Transcript
What is up, Cubs fans?
And welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I'm Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
And Javier Assad continues to build up here in the minors.
He was optioned about two weeks ago with the hopes that he would continue to build up as a starter.
You know, Assad spent a couple weeks in the Cubs bullpen, not fully built up, well, the Cubs sent him down to Triple-A on May 17th to build up as a starter, and Assad is definitely building up.
He has made two starts so far with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs over the past two weeks, and kind of been one good outing and one not so great outing.
In his first outing back at Triple-A, he gave up five runs across three and one-third, and he pitched only one strikeout.
That was against the Triple-A Memphis Ball Club.
And then in his second outing, his most recent outing, came against Triple-A Indianapolis, where he gave up one run across four and one-third inning pitched with five strikeouts.
So Assad built up to 78 pitches in that outing against Triple-A Indianapolis, and that begs the question on what happens next with Javier Assad?
And the short answer to that is Assad should be back up with the ball club and take Jordan Wicks's spot in the rotation.
Wicks, as we know, made his season debut with the Cubs earlier this week on Tuesday, and got absolutely rocked against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up eight runs on nine hits across four and one-third innings.
Wicks will make another start here on Sunday in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
But after that, I think it's time to give Javier Assad another look in the big leagues.
He's built up enough, his pitch count now, and he's just an, an upgrade over Jordan Wicks for that final rotation spot.
We know what Assad gives.
He'll have his great outings, he'll struggle sometimes, but he has been consistent for the most part over the past four years for the Chicago Cubs.
But let me know what you guys think about this.
Should Assad rejoin the Cubs rotation soon and replace Jordan Wicks?
Let me know down below.
And as always, guys, go Cubs go.
