Cubs recall Javier Assad amid questions over his earlier demotion

The Chicago Cubs recalled Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday against the Miami Marlins, marking his first major-league start in more than a month. Assad has excelled in a swingman role this season, posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 6-1 record across 83.1 innings, while allowing only one run over 5.1 innings in his latest Triple-A outing. Tyler Ferguson was optioned to Iowa in the corresponding move, and Assad’s return also allows the Cubs to adjust their rotation, potentially shifting Shota Imanaga’s next start. The move follows criticism that Assad was demoted largely because he had minor-league options remaining, despite his reliability amid the Cubs’ pitching injuries. His performance against Miami could determine whether he remains in the rotation for the stretch run, while the Cubs’ lineup otherwise remains largely unchanged.