Cubs should end Javier Assad roster limbo after saving the day vs White Sox

It's been quite the week for Javier Assad, considering he was demoted over the weekend to make room for Edward Cabrera's return to the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation. Cabrera has landed back on the IL due to a blister injury, and as has been the case throughout his entire career, Assad has once again played savior for the Cubs.

Before Alex Bregman's walk-off single against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, Kevin Gausman was forced to leave the game in the fifth inning with thumb cramp. It was a shaky start for Gausman, giving up three runs on seven hits, but once Assad entered the game, the door was slammed shut for the White Sox's offense.

Assad tossed three scoreless innings, sparing the bullpen, and holding the White Sox to only two hits. The rest was history as Bregman tied the game in the seventh inning before winning it in the ninth.

In a season that has been defined by one pitching injury after another, Assad has been the unsung hero for the staff. After Tuesday's effort, Assad's ERA on the season is down to 3.46 with opposing hitters batting .231 against him.

The theme of Assad's tenure with the Cubs is that he always outperforms his metrics. This season is no different. Through a tick over 83 innings pitched this season, Assad's xERA is 4.63 and his FIP is 4.97. In other words, Assad's profile is not meant to be finding the success that he has routinely had during his five-year run with the Cubs.

For his career, Assad carries a 3.43 ERA, with a FIP of 4.56. Assad's success rarely makes sense, considering the metrics, but he's become the most dependable pitcher the Cubs have on their staff.

Javier Assad's heroics against White Sox should end his Cubs' roster shuffle

Life has also been unfair to Assad. He's routinely been a rarity for the Cubs' staff, considering he's one of the only pitchers with minor-league options remaining. That often means when the Cubs are in a pinch with roster gymnastics, Assad almost always is the arm sent down to Triple-A Iowa.

Moving forward, at least for the rest of this season, that should change. Assad remains the backbone of this pitching staff, and he deserves to remain with the team for the rest of the season. Even if that means the Cubs have ot make uncomfortable decisions elsewhere.

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