Javier Assad and Miguel Amaya are reuniting in rehab. Discover how this duo could change the Cubs’ season.
The Chicago Cubs are getting closer to full strength. Per Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald, right-handed pitcher Javier Assad and catcher Miguel Amaya are both heading to Arizona this week to begin their rehab assignments. More than just a procedural update, this pairing matters. Javier Assad will be on the mound and Amaya behind the plate, a reunion that could become a turning point in the Cubs’ season.
It is not just that they are getting healthy. It is that they are getting healthy together. For a pitcher and catcher who already share a working relationship, this matters. Rehab assignments can often feel like isolated exercises, but in this case, there is a shared purpose. Assad and Amaya are not just checking boxes on individual timelines. They are syncing up, building rhythm, and sharpening the communication that defines a strong battery.
Counsell says Javier Assad will pitch Thu in Arizona, Miguel Amaya will catch him. Then both should be joining minor league affiliates in next few days. PCA back in lineup tonight. #Cubs
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHSports) July 22, 2025
Assad Brings Stability Back to the Rotation
Before he re-aggravated his oblique strain, Javier Assad was on a couple rehab assignments of his own. Assad will now go back to Arizona and hopefully prove that he is ready to come back to the show. This would be a huge asset for the Cubs to get back. He mixes pitches well, limits hard contact, and stays calm under pressure. He was never flashy, but he was steady, and that steadiness has been missed.
The Cubs have had to piece things together in his absence. Getting Assad back, even in a limited rehab setting, brings structure to a pitching staff that has been stretched thin. With innings piling up and the trade deadline approaching, Assad’s return could not come at a better time for this team.
Miguel Amaya’s Value Goes Beyond the Numbers
Photo: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
While Miguel Amaya’s offensive production before his oblique injury was modest, his presence behind the plate was vital to the pitchers he worked with. He is known for his game-calling, framing, and leadership. When he is catching, things run smoother. There is a calmness to how he handles pitchers, and the Cubs have missed that consistency since his time on the injured list. Of course, Reese McGuire has certainly held his own, but a guy like Amaya is the future of this team.
More Sports News
Having him paired with Javier Assad on rehab is not just a logistical choice. It is intentional. The two have worked well together in the past, and this rehab outing provides them with an opportunity to re-establish their rhythm in a low-pressure environment.
Rehab With Real Impact
This kind of update may not make national headlines, but inside the Cubs’ clubhouse, it represents real progress and serves as a morale boost to the entire team. Assad and Amaya are not just returning to the ballfield as individuals. They are returning as a battery, one that has already proven it can contribute at the Major League level.
If both can stay on track and return soon, they could help shape the direction of the team’s trade deadline strategy. Having Assad back in the rotation and Amaya back behind the plate gives the Cubs internal reinforcements that could ease pressure on the front office and shift the tone around what moves are truly necessary and take the big swing on a needle mover.
Looking Ahead
For now, all eyes turn to Arizona, where Javier Assad and Amaya look to make progress. The setting may be quiet, but the stakes are real. If Assad and Amaya come through this rehab assignment without setbacks, the next time they link up could be at Wrigley Field, where their presence could very well help anchor a second-half playoff push.
It is not just about who is coming back. It is about what they bring with them.
Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube and the Cubs On Tap podcast and Dingers: A Chicago Cubs Podcast for more Chicago Cubs content, updates, and hot takes!