Javier Assad hasn’t pitched for the Chicago Cubs this season because of a left oblique strain. He is nearing a return and will make rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Iowa.

It’s Friday, July 25 and the Cubs (60-42) are in Chicago to take on the White Sox (37-66). Shota Imanaga is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Adrian Houser for Chicago. The Cubs are 1-3 in the past four games and coming off a series loss to the Royals where they dropped two of three.

The Cubs' offense, as a whole, took a step back this month, with the team's batting average continuing its season-long downward trend. In April, Chicago batted .267, then dropped to .258 in May.

The Chicago Cubs couldn’t have performed much better than they did in the first half. But they still face questions coming out of the All-Star break.

“Somehow he’s just gotten better in this stretch,” Counsell said. “He’s just overwhelming hitters. It’s just a great pitch mix and deception. You watch the Bobby Witt at-bats, who’s one of the best hitters in the game. What (Boyd) did there tonight is a great example of how good the stuff is. It’s been fun to watch him pitch.”

At least the Cubs were up 11-0 against the Cardinals when Alex Cooper got on the mic during Sunday’s game in Chicago. The “Call Her Daddy” podcast host was mercilessly booed when it was time ...

The San Diego Padres might consider trading Dylan Cease at the trade deadline, and the Chicago Cubs could emerge as the best landing spot for a deal.