Jun 6, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad (72) walks off the field during a pitching change in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Photo: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

What Javier Assad's Setback Means for the Cubs

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Rich Eberwein | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 10:09 PM ET

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Javier Assad did not make his scheduled rehab start with the Iowa Cubs today, as his oblique injury has seemingly resurfaced.

Iowa's broadcaster Jason Kempf reported on X that Assad grabbed his side and exited the game while warming up for the fifth inning. Assad threw 67 pitches over four innings, with three walks, five strikeouts, and two earned runs against the Louisville Bats.

Oh no. Javier Assad started to warm up for the fifth inning and grabbed at his side and immediately walked to the dugout after a pitch. Keegan Thompson will come on.
— Jason Kempf (@jkempradio) April 22, 2025

It's not great news, especially because the Cubs currently do not have a long reliever in their bullpen. Colin Rea began the season with that job, but he has since transitioned into the starting rotation after Justin Steele went down for the season with elbow surgery.

It's unclear how this news will affect Assad's timeline, but today was the second of two scheduled rehab starts for the 27-year-old. Since the team optioned Jordan Wicks back to Iowa on Monday after his poor performances, it feels like they were expecting Assad back very soon before the setback.

The Cubs may opt to call up veteran righty Chris Flexen, who owns a 0.40 ERA in four starts for Iowa this year with 19 strikeouts and a 1.07 WHIP. Flexen has 110 big-league starts to his name, and he signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in February.

Prospects Connor Noland (4.12) and Cade Horton (1.46) are also having good starts to 2025 and are the next logical internal options. On Monday, 670 The Score's Bruce Levine reported that the Cubs' front office is already checking in on the trade market for starting pitchers. The Cubs have a good enough farm system to swing a deal for a top arm like Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, or Luis Castillo, but it's a matter of convincing a team to make a deal this early in the year without overpaying.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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