Javier Assad allowed three runs on five hits in five innings in a win over the Mets in Game 1 of the doubleheader on Wednesday.
Assad walked two and struck out five while throwing 64 percent of his pitches for strikes. He collected a 10 percent swinging strike rate and 27 percent CSW in what was a decidedly average performance. He commanded the zone well with his sinker and four-seamer, and he did have good vertical movement on the four-seamer today, which got him whiffs at the top of the zone. He struggled to command the cutter, and none of his other pitches were overly impactful. Assad should remain in the rotation with both Ben Brown (neck) and Edward Cabrera (hamstring) on the injured list, but he remains just a deep league streamer and a risky play against the Padres next week.
