Headline
NEWS: Rome Odunze Hosts Youth Football Campat Boylan High School, Inspires Next Generation
The Red Sox Have Been Dominated Ever Since Their Trip to the White House — Plus a Few More Observations When the Boston Red Sox visited the White House earlier this season to celebrate their past achievements, spirits were high and optimism was in the air. But ever since that celebratory trip to Washington, the team has struggled mightily on the field. What was supposed to be a feel-good moment for the organization seems to have marked the beginning of a concerning downward spiral. Since that visit, the Red Sox have posted one of the worst records in the American League. Their pitching staff, which had been a surprising strength early in the year, has faltered. Starters are failing to go deep into games, and the bullpen has repeatedly let leads slip away. Lucas Giolito, once a steadying presence, has seen his ERA climb, and the once-reliable back-end duo of Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin has been anything but automatic. Offensively, the Red Sox have hit a wall. Key contributors like Rafael Devers and Masataka Yoshida have cooled off significantly, and the team is struggling to drive in runs with runners in scoring position. What was once a promising lineup filled with power and potential now appears inconsistent and uninspired. Injuries have also played a role. Trevor Story remains sidelined, and others have been in and out of the lineup, robbing the team of continuity. The lack of depth has been exposed, and younger players thrust into starting roles haven’t been able to carry the load. Manager Alex Cora has been visibly frustrated, and fans are beginning to lose patience. The momentum from their solid start to the season has completely evaporated. What’s more troubling is that the team doesn’t seem to have an immediate solution to halt the slide. Yet, amid the downturn, there are still a few bright spots. Rookie outfielder Roman Anthony continues to show flashes of brilliance, and Jarren Duran remains a spark plug at the top of the order. Additionally, Craig Breslow’s front office has stayed composed, resisting knee-jerk reactions in favor of long-term planning. Still, the reality is this: the Red Sox have looked overmatched and disorganized ever since their White House visit. If they want to salvage their season, something needs to change fast—before the hole becomes too deep to climb out of.
Breaking newss: Playing Nine Innings with the Red Sox: In Hindsight, Craig Breslow Got a Lot Right Last Offseason
Breaking News: Former Raja Club Athletic President Mohamed Boudrika Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
Breaking News: Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell Confirm Engagement with Romantic Kiss
Breaking News: Maple Leafs Acquire Henry Thrun from Sharks in Exchange for Ryan Reaves
BREAKING NEWS: Tom Cruise to Star as Terry Bradshaw in HBO’s “Black and Gold Dynasty”
Breaking News: Netflix Set to Release Billy Williams Documentary, Spotlighting Legendary 8-for-8 Game at Wrigley

BREAKING NEWS: Cubs Lose Starting Pitcher to a Season-Long Injury

Javier Assad Sidelined with Oblique Injury, Cubs Exploring Options for Fifth Starter

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad has been ruled out for the beginning of the 2025 season due to oblique soreness, putting a temporary halt on the team’s plans to have him in the Opening Day rotation. Assad, 27, has been a valuable contributor over the past few seasons, serving as a swingman in the Cubs’ pitching staff. However, his spring injury leaves the Cubs scrambling for a solution for the fifth starter position in the rotation.

Javier Assad: How Pitcher's emergence helps Chicago Cubs

Assad has been effective for Chicago, posting a 3.06 ERA in 147 innings over the past two seasons, despite underlying metrics that suggested his performance could have been better. In 2024, he continued to defy the odds, finishing with a 3.73 ERA and pitching over 140 innings. However, his 4.64 FIP and 4.72 SIERA indicated that his success may not be sustainable. With Assad sidelined, the Cubs must now find a reliable option to fill the void.

While Assad’s injury is a setback for the Cubs, the team is optimistic that he will be able to resume throwing soon. The Cubs hope to have him throw a bullpen session next week, though his status for the early part of the season remains uncertain. As a result, the Cubs are already considering alternative options for the fifth starter spot.

The Fifth Starter Battle

Without Assad in the mix, the Cubs have several potential candidates for the fifth spot in their rotation. Veteran Colin Rea, 34, who signed a two-year deal with the Cubs in December, appears to be the front-runner. Rea posted a 4.40 ERA and 4.82 FIP over 58 appearances with Milwaukee over the past two years, primarily as a starter. While Rea has experience as a long reliever, his experience and stability make him a solid option to fill the rotation role if needed.

Other candidates include right-hander Ben Brown, who impressed in his rookie season with a 3.58 ERA and 3.11 FIP in 55 1/3 innings before being sidelined by injury. The Cubs are hopeful that Brown, now healthy, can earn the fifth starter spot. Jordan Wicks, a former top-100 prospect, also has significant upside despite struggling with injuries in 2024.

Veterans Chris Flexen and Brad Keller are also in camp as non-roster invitees, and either could factor into the competition for the fifth starter job. Flexen, who has significant MLB experience, could provide a steady option in the rotation if needed.

Looking Ahead

While the Cubs are focused on finding a temporary solution for the fifth starter spot, the injury to Assad opens up the possibility for other pitchers to secure a more permanent role in the rotation. As the season progresses, whoever fills the fifth starter role could eventually have the opportunity to solidify their position even after Assad returns. For now, the Cubs remain hopeful that their rotation can maintain stability despite the early-season absence of one of their key pitchers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top