It seemed that Ryan Brasier's days in the Chicago Cubs' bullpen were numbered, considering his recent struggles, and the Cubs seemed to have been under the same impression. The Cubs announced on Friday that Javier Assad has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa and Brasier has been placed on the 15-day IL with a left groin strain.
Assad was optioned before the Cubs' five-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The move felt like it was only done to allow the Cubs to have fresh arms, considering they were playing five games in four days. Now that the series is in the rearview mirror, and Assad is likely ready to pitch after starting last Sunday, it made sense to bring him back for the road trip.
After having some success earlier in the season, it's been a struggle for Brasier in recent innings. Following a 2-run outing on Thursday afternoon, Brasier's ERA over his last 12 innings pitched is 8.03. There was no clear sign of an injury on Thursday, so this could be a matter of the Cubs looking for a way to give Brasier some time off, with the hope that their pitching infrastructure can get him right.
If the Cubs can't get Brasier right, it would seem the next step would be to designate him for assignment. Something that could be necessary in September once rosters expand.
With Assad one of the few pitchers on the Cubs' Major League pitching staff who has minor-league options available, the roulette the Cubs have done over the last week is something that will likely continue until the end of the season, allowing the Cubs to interchange the 28-year-old with a fresh arm when needed.
Jameson Taillon returned to the Cubs' rotation on Tuesday, so the assumption is that most of Assad's appearances moving forward will be out of the bullpen. As the Cubs look for ways to limit Cade Horton's innings and keep him ready for a potential postseason start, Assad also figures to be used as a spot starter between now and the end of the season.