Cubs promote BJ Murray but Javier Assad's September roster wait has simple explanation

The Chicago Cubs have confirmed that infielder prospect BJ Murray will be among the first wave of September call-ups on Tuesday. Murray was with the team on Monday, getting acclimated with the big-league club, and will be added to the roster before Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Craig Counsell suggested a pitcher would be the other call-up, but Cubs fans should be prepared to not hear Javier Assad's name as the other roster move.

With Shota Imanaga's struggles continuing over the weekend, Cubs fans are eager to see Assad take his place in the starting rotation. Instead, it would appear that the Cubs are going to give Imanaga at least one more start. As discussed during the latest episode of the Cubbies Crib podcast, while it would seem Imanaga is teetering with once again being unable to be used during the playoffs, the Cubs are trying to fix his struggles.

At the moment, the Cubs need to find another starting pitcher to ascend ahead of the playoffs. Clay Holmes has certainly checked that box, but recent results from Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, Matthew Boyd, and David Peterson have been inconsistency. Hence the desire to see if coaching staff can right the ship with Imanaga, considering the stretches where he's looked dominant this season.

Cubs call up BJ Murray but Javier Assad's September absence isn't much of a mystery

The talk for consistency in the rotation has left fans eager to see Assad's return to the big-league club. If nothing else, Assad has proven consistent during his tenure with the Cubs. Through his first five years with the Cubs, he has an ERA of 3.43. This year, his ERA sits at 3.46 through a tick over 83 innings pitched. The metrics aren't always there, but the results have been.

Assad certainly will factor into the Cubs' pitching equation again this season, but it won't be this week. Assad started for the Iowa Cubs on Sunday and pitched into the sixth inning. Beyond the idea of the Cubs wanting him to remain stretched out, calling up for the rest of the series against the Brewers would be moot, considering he likely wouldn't be available to pitch.

As has been the case for Assad and his spot on the major league roster, timing isn't always on his side. The unfortunate reality of being one of the few pitchers on the Cubs' 40-man roster with minor-league options remaining.

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