Assad to be evaluated after rehab start was cut short by injury

CHICAGO -- The Cubs had hoped Javier Assad was positioning himself to be an option for the rotation in the near future, but the right-hander has hit a setback in his comeback from a left oblique issue that initially flared during Spring Training.

During Assad's second Minor League rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, the righty exited after four innings and 67 pitches due to discomfort in his side. Per manager Craig Counsell, Assad is en route to Chicago to be further evaluated by the Cubs' medical staff in the coming days.

Following the recent season-ending injury to Justin Steele, the Cubs moved veteran righty Colin Rea to the rotation as the fifth starter behind Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd and Ben Brown. Assad represents an important layer of depth behind that group, along with left-hander Jordan Wicks, who was recently optioned back to Iowa after a stint in Chicago's bullpen.

Prior to exiting the rehab appearance, Assad had allowed two runs while striking out five batters. His first rehab start came on April 15, when he permitted one run over 3 1/3 innings for Iowa. The 27-year-old, who suffered his oblique strain back in February, was a productive member of Chicago’s rotation last season, recording a 3.73 ERA over 147 innings (29 starts).