2026 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Assad didn't make his 2025 debut until Aug. 12, as he missed significant time due to a strained oblique. Once he returned, the righty made eight appearances (seven starts) for the Cubs, though he also spent some time with Triple-A Iowa. It was a relatively small sample in the majors, but the 28-year-old at least looked fairly sharp with a 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 23 strikeouts across 37 innings. Assad has talent, though there are questions about his role moving forward with the Cubs. Chicago seemingly has a full rotation with Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea, as well as Justin Steele (elbow) once he's fully healthy. That could push Assad into more of a long-relief role, which he excelled in back in 2023 when he posted a 3.05 ERA and 94 strikeouts across 109.1 innings. Of course, long relievers don't move the needle as much in fantasy, so Assad will have significantly less value if he's not starting regularly for the Cubs. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Cubs in January of 2026.
Sent to minors
The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Marquee Sports Network reports.
Analysis
Assad was terrific in three appearances during Cactus League play, allowing two runs (one earned) with an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. It wasn't enough for him to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Assad will play a role on the Cubs in 2026, either as a long reliever, spot starter or both.
Assad was terrific in three appearances during Cactus League play, allowing two runs (one earned) with an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. It wasn't enough for him to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Assad will play a role on the Cubs in 2026, either as a long reliever, spot starter or both.
Pitching Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
2025
2024
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2022
Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2024
-2%
BAA vs LHP
2026
No Stats
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .250 | 86 | 38 | 90 | 10 |
| Since 2024vs Right | .254 | 61 | 37 | 86 | 13 |
| 2026vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025vs Left | .293 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 2 |
| 2025vs Right | .205 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 1 |
| 2024vs Left | .242 | 75 | 35 | 73 | 8 |
| 2024vs Right | .269 | 49 | 28 | 70 | 12 |
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2024
-48%
ERA at Home
2026
No Stats
| ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024Home | 2.50 | 1.32 | 86.1 | 7.5 | 4.3 |
| Since 2024Away | 4.79 | 1.40 | 97.2 | 6.9 | 3.1 |
| 2026Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025Home | 2.65 | 1.12 | 17.0 | 7.4 | 3.2 |
| 2025Away | 4.50 | 1.30 | 20.0 | 4.1 | 2.7 |
| 2024Home | 2.47 | 1.37 | 69.1 | 7.5 | 4.5 |
| 2024Away | 4.87 | 1.43 | 77.2 | 7.6 | 3.2 |
Minor League Left/Right Pitching Splits (AAA)
Since 2024
-14%
BAA vs RHP
2026
-29%
BAA vs LHP
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .333 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 0 |
| Since 2024vs Right | .288 | 12 | 6 | 15 | 2 |
| 2026vs Left | .333 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 2026vs Right | .471 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| 2025vs Left | .333 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025vs Right | .200 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Defensive Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
Assad transitioned from being a long-relief bullpen option to serving as a full-time starter in 2024, and the righty held his own. He made 29 starts and logged a career-high 147 innings while posting a 3.73 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Assad struck out 7.59 batters per nine innings, which was in line with his 7.74 mark from a season earlier. His fastball came down from an average velocity of 92.9 mph in 2023 to 91.5 mph last year, which was likely a result of trying to conserve more energy and last longer in games. Now that he has this season of starting experience under his belt, the 27-year-old could be primed to take another step forward in 2025. Assad is likely to set another new career high in innings if he stays healthy, and he will also look to finish the season stronger, as he posted a 5.82 ERA across his final six starts of 2024. That's not too surprising for a pitcher getting used to the rigors of being a full-time MLB starter. Assad's lack of big strikeout numbers caps his upside, but he should be a useful fantasy option this season with some room for growth.
More Fantasy News
Arrives at camp after slight delay
Assad arrived at spring training Thursday after a slight delay due to a visa issue, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Set to earn $1.8 million
Assad and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million deal to avoid arbitration Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis
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Nabs fourth win
Assad (4-1) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six over 5.1 shutout innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cardinals.
Analysis
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Receiving another start
Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
Analysis
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Goes four frames in no-decision
Assad did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts over two innings.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Rotation spot likely secured
According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Assad is expected to enter 2025 with a secure spot at the back end of the Cubs' rotation.
Analysis
The 27-year-old has struggled in his past four starts with a 16 earned runs allowed and 18:10 K:BB across 21 innings, but he's been effective overall this year with a 3.73 ERA through 29 starts. The Cubs are expected to bolster their rotation this winter, but Assad should still enter spring training as the favorite for the No. 5 job even if a front-line starter is added.
The 27-year-old has struggled in his past four starts with a 16 earned runs allowed and 18:10 K:BB across 21 innings, but he's been effective overall this year with a 3.73 ERA through 29 starts. The Cubs are expected to bolster their rotation this winter, but Assad should still enter spring training as the favorite for the No. 5 job even if a front-line starter is added.