Cubs Place Javier Assad on IL with Forearm Extensor Strain
Things have gone from bad to worse as the Cubs just can’t seem to keep their pitchers healthy, with Javier Assad now falling victim to the injury bug. The righty was just placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to June 24 with a forearm extensor strain. His fastball velocity was at a season-low 91.1 mph during Sunday’s loss, but he’d been at or above 92 in his previous seven starts.
The forearm had been bothering him off and on for the last two weeks, though, and it sounds like it flared up enough during a recent round of catch play to warrant a diagnosis.
Javier Assad’s forearm has been bothering him off/on last 2 weeks. That it lingered and he experienced symptoms playing catch yesterday prompted IL move.
Ben Brown (neck) making progress but Cubs being cautious
Jordan Wicks (oblique) not expected back until after All-Star break
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) June 27, 2024
These things can be a little tricky and the Cubs haven’t said much, but recovery can range from three weeks to three months. Anything near the longer end of that timeline could mean shutting Assad down for the rest of the season, especially if they continue to play like crap. They’ll have to make do without preferred reinforcements for a while, as Jordan Wicks is expected to be out until after the All-Star break and Ben Brown is still being treated with caution as he overcomes a neck issue.
It sure would be nice to have some good news to write about for once.