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The Chicago Cubs have dealt with a couple of injuries in the starting rotation, with Justin Steele already ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season. But another starter dealing with an injury just got some bad news on his recovery timeline.
In a press conference before the Cubs take on the Philadelphia Phillies, courtesy of Marquee Sports Network, Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that starting pitcher Javier Assad is dealing with a grade two strain of his left oblique.
It's a re-injury of the same side that flared up in the spring, and will put a pause in Assad's recovery. Not only does it put a pause to his recovery timeline, it will effectively reset things as Assad is being shut down, and will have to restart the rehab and throwing program once he's ready again.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (72) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park.Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
With the Cubs down a few pitchers early in the year, Assad's injury getting worse is bad news for the Cubs. It puts more urgency on the Cubs front office to find another option in the starting rotation, and it puts a stop to Assad's return from injury.
Assad in 2024 had a 3.73 ERA in his first season as a full-time starter for the Cubs. He struck out 124 batters and walked 63, and allowed hitters to bat for a .254 batting average off him in 2024.
Assad was expected to fill a key role in the Cubs starting rotation behind Steele and ***** Imanaga. But now with the oblique strain reseting his recovery timeline, Assad becomes significantly less of a factor for the Cubs.
Ben Brown, Colin Rea, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd will have to continue their solid starts to 2025, as the Cubs are dealing with a few injuries in the rotation.
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In a press conference before the Cubs take on the Philadelphia Phillies, courtesy of Marquee Sports Network, Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that starting pitcher Javier Assad is dealing with a grade two strain of his left oblique.
It's a re-injury of the same side that flared up in the spring, and will put a pause in Assad's recovery. Not only does it put a pause to his recovery timeline, it will effectively reset things as Assad is being shut down, and will have to restart the rehab and throwing program once he's ready again.
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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (72) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park.Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
With the Cubs down a few pitchers early in the year, Assad's injury getting worse is bad news for the Cubs. It puts more urgency on the Cubs front office to find another option in the starting rotation, and it puts a stop to Assad's return from injury.
Assad in 2024 had a 3.73 ERA in his first season as a full-time starter for the Cubs. He struck out 124 batters and walked 63, and allowed hitters to bat for a .254 batting average off him in 2024.
Assad was expected to fill a key role in the Cubs starting rotation behind Steele and ***** Imanaga. But now with the oblique strain reseting his recovery timeline, Assad becomes significantly less of a factor for the Cubs.
Ben Brown, Colin Rea, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd will have to continue their solid starts to 2025, as the Cubs are dealing with a few injuries in the rotation.
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Related: Cubs' Craig Counsell Makes Pete Crow-Armstrong Announcement
Related: Cubs' Craig Counsell Makes Pete Crow-Armstrong Announcement
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