The Chicago Cubs announced on Thursday that right-hander Javier Assad will land on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm extensor strain. The Cubs recently signed reliever Vinny Nittoli to a major league deal, so Assad heading to the injured list will create a spot on the active roster for him.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Nittoli, Chicago placed righty Yency Almonte on the 60-day injured list.
The #Cubs today signed RHP Vinny Nittoli to a major league contract and placed RHP Javier Assad on the 15-day IL with a right forearm extensor strain (retroactive to June 24). To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Yency Almonte has been transferred to the 60-day IL. pic.twitter.com/1bUC9uVmgj
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 27, 2024
Cubs Place Javier Assad on IL, Sign Vinny Nittoli
Losing Assad will be a tough blow for a Cubs team that has largely disappointed this season. The Mexican had a breakout campaign in his first full season as a starter. In 16 starts, Assad amassed 83 innings with a 3.04 ERA (137 ERA+)
Assad last pitched on Sunday night against the New York Mets and did not look great. He tossed 4 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits, including two homers. The 26-year-old started the season strong, but Sunday marked the third time since May 26 that he allowed four or more runs in a game.
It’s not publicly known when Assad started feeling arm pain or how it might have affected him during his rough outings. While the Cubs have not announced a timeline for Assad’s return from the injured list, forearm stains can often lead to serious long-term injuries. It’s unfair to speculate, but the news does not sound great for what has already been a rough season on the North Side.
In the meantime, the Cubs will likely turn to Hayden Wesneski to fill Assad’s spot in the rotation until an arm like Ben Brown returns from the injured list. That said, Chicago could also call up a veteran like Dan Straily or Thomas Pannone from Triple-A until Brown returns.
Cubs Sign Vinny Nittoli
Nittoli made his big league debut as a 30-year-old in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners. Since then, the righty has seen sporadic time in the majors and bounced between organizations. He joined the Oakland Athletics in the offseason after the Mets let him go in late October.
Cubs split-contract signee, Vinny Nittoli isn’t a huge velo guy (avg 92.6 mph with the four seam), but he also features a mini sweeper slider with just under 10 inches of sweep. Good strikeout numbers in the minors. Nice low-risk move.
🎥 @Brennan_L_D
pic.twitter.com/33PU6TRNdA— Greg Zumach (@IvyFutures) January 12, 2023
The Italian started the season in Triple-A and produced pretty well in 23 1/3 innings (2.70 ERA). Oakland called him up when they needed a fresh arm, and Nittoli continued to succeed. He allowed two runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in eight innings of work.
However, it clearly wasn’t enough to remain in the big leagues or a surprisingly solid Athletics bullpen. The Cubs have a solid track record of improving journeyman relievers and turning them into valuable bullpen arms. Whether it was Mark Leiter Jr. last year or Tyson Miller now, Nittoli’s development in Chicago could be an interesting storyline to watch ahead of next month’s trade deadline.
Main Photo: © Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
