Fresh off a dominant Triple-A outing, the versatile right-hander rejoins the active roster in Miami to bolster a surging rotation and provide crucial flexibility for the stretch run.
A familiar face is expected to be recalled from Triple-A.
Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reported that pitcher Javier Assad is expected to start for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday after the team beat the Miami Marlins by a score of 6-1 in the series opener.
Assad was on the Cubs’ taxi squad in Miami on Friday. He was in the outfield doing some pregame work before Friday’s series opener and will officially be recalled from the minors before Saturday’s contest.
Assad wasn’t recalled on Friday because he wasn’t eligible yet. Once you are optioned, pitchers have to spend at least 15 days in the minors unless an injury occurs. With the right-hander being optioned on August 21, the earliest that the Cubs could call him up is September 5.
The Cubs have definitely used Assad's remaining option year to their advantage this season. He has been optioned three different times since May, despite being one of the team’s most consistent pitchers.
Assad has really thrived in any role that the Cubs have given him in 2026. He has a 3.29 ERA and a 1.154 WHIP across 10 starts, and a 3.73 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, and two saves across 12 appearances out of the bullpen.
While his underlying metrics tell a completely different story, Assad just continues to deliver on the mound. It doesn’t really matter that his strikeout rate (16.6%), whiff rate (14.9%), hard-hit rate (45.5%), and expected ERA (4.51) all rank in the bottom 30% of the league.
Assad deserves to be up with the big league club for the remainder of the season. With the MLB rosters having already expanded, there is a clear spot for the 29-year-old right-hander to stay on the team. His potential role down the stretch makes him a valuable piece.
It remains to be seen how Assad fits into the Cubs’ pitching plans the rest of the season. He could see some spot starts as well as give the team some long relief work out of the bullpen. For Saturday's contest, though, he will be Chicago's starting pitcher.
Assad starting Saturday's game will push back either Clay Holmes or Matthew Boyd into the Brewers series, which begins on Monday.
Assad last pitched for the Iowa Cubs on August 30, so he is more than rested to start one of those two contests. In that outing, the Mexican native threw 5 ⅓ innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts.
