From 'heroic' relief to quality start, Assad continues to be clutch for Cubs

SAN FRANCISCO – Javier Assad has built a reputation as a pitcher who will take on whatever role the Cubs have to offer. He has had to fight for a spot in the rotation or accept a role in the bullpen, while being ready to step in at a moment’s notice if things go awry in either part of the pitching staff.

Look no further than what Assad has done this week.

On Friday night, Assad quieted the Giants for six shutout innings, leading the Cubs to a 5-1 victory at Oracle Park. The right-hander did so after being named a replacement starter for veteran lefty Matthew Boyd, who was in the plans to come off the 15-day injured list for this series before some mild shoulder soreness flared up a few days ago.

“Javy keeps telling you, ‘I’ll be ready when I get my opportunity,’” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s what it takes.”

Assad’s effort came one outing after he spun 6 1/3 scoreless innings – also against the Giants – in an emergency relief appearance on Sunday at Wrigley Field. Jameson Taillon injured his left hamstring in that game, pressing Assad into duty. The righty gave the Cubs what Counsell called a “heroic” performance that night.

In his latest showing for Chicago, the 28-year-old Assad had his signature two-seamer running sharply against San Francisco’s order. The pitcher racked up five strikeouts while using the Cubs’ stellar defense to his advantage. Assad generated nine outs via ground ball, including an inning-ending double play in the fifth.

That twin killing in the fifth featured a highlight-reel grab-and-throw by first baseman Michael Busch, who hustled back to the bag to complete the job. Busch also had a swipe tag that nicked the helmet of Luis Arraez just in time for a key out in the sixth. Nico Hoerner had an impressive sliding snag to start a groundout against Jung Hoo Lee in the fourth.

“He pitched great,” Counsell said. “In the strike zone. Controlled counts. Ball on the ground. A real boost. We’ve talked about guys getting opportunities, and certainly Javy in a time that we really need it has delivered a couple big starts. Big, big performances.”

The skill with which Assad can use his sinker was on full display against Rafael Devers in the fourth inning. The righty sent the pitch at the lefty-swinging Devers, who froze as the ball zipped into the zone for a called third strike.

“That’s the pitch for Javy. And it changes everything,” Counsell said. “It’s just in the hitter’s head on every pitch and it kind of changes their aggressiveness.”

And a Cubs offense that has stirred to life in the last 48 hours pushed five runs across in an outburst between the fourth and fifth innings. Seiya Suzuki got things rolling with an RBI double off Landon Roupp in the fourth and Busch broke things open with a three-run shot off lefty Erik Miller in the fifth. Busch’s blast soared into McCovey Cove, marking the fifth “splash hit” for the Cubs all-time.

“Ninety-nine percent of the players know what McCovey Cove is,” Busch said. “To be in that group was pretty cool. I tried to do it a couple times in BP and couldn’t really do it. But I’ll take the game over batting practice, for sure.”

For Assad, the outing lowered his ERA to 0.47 in his past five outings with the North Siders dating back to the start of May. He had a few relief assignments and a stint back with Triple-A Iowa in that span. Overall, Assad has a 3.99 ERA, but 15 of the 17 earned runs he has allowed this year came in two games. Across the other eight appearances, he has a 0.57 ERA for Chicago.

Assad gave up nine runs on April 13 in Philadelphia and six runs on April 25 on the road against the Dodgers. In the outing against the Phillies, in particular, Assad worked 4 1/3 innings and stayed in to help a taxed bullpen. It was another example of the pitcher accepting the task in front of him.

“I try to take advantage of every opportunity,” Assad said via team interpreter Fredy Quevedo Jr. “Obviously, I like to start games. That’s what I’ve done. But whatever opportunity it is … I’m always going to be ready.”

It has not gone unnoticed inside the Cubs’ clubhouse.

“I don't think people really understand how difficult it is,” Busch said, “just to be up and down, not having a certain role at times. And then to be able to come up here and do what he’s done against some really good lineups, I think it’s really impressive.”