The rigors of rehabbing a serious injury can be an isolating experience for a player.<\/p>\n
Reaggravating the injury and forced to repeat the process is especially challenging. Javier Assad\u2019s life the last seven months has nearly solely consisted of working back from a left oblique strain. The Chicago Cubs right-hander has spent most of the season at the team\u2019s complex in Mesa, Ariz., recovering then building up \u2014 and unfortunately for the 27-year-old needing to repeat the process.<\/p>\n
Assad initially strained his oblique shortly before pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training in early February. The severity and timeline for him to adequately build up quickly ruled out Assad being ready for the start of the season.<\/p>\n
On the cusp of coming off the injured list, Assad reinjured his oblique on a cutter he threw in the fourth inning of his second rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on April 22.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was difficult. It was difficult because that\u2019s what I love to do,\u201d Assad said Saturday through an interpreter. \u201cI love to play baseball, I love being here. To be so close to returning and have it happen again, it\u2019s something difficult. It\u2019s something that happened, but now I\u2019m working hard to come back and be healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first time that\u2019s happened where I haven\u2019t been healthy to start the season. Things happen for a reason. I\u2019m focused on working hard to be able to return, and thanks to God, we\u2019re doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three months later, Assad is preparing to head back to Iowa for a rehab start Wednesday. He joined the team for the City Series against the White Sox this weekend at Rate Field to throw a bullpen in front of Cubs pitching coaches and spend time around teammates he hadn\u2019t seen since March.<\/p>\n
Standing in front of his locker in the visitors clubhouse before Saturday\u2019s game, Assad was thrilled to be back around his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had missed being here, seeing the guys, being with the team,\u201d Assad said. \u201cI haven\u2019t missed a game \u2014 I\u2019ve watched every game on TV. But it\u2019s going to be different being here in the dugout, cheering them on and \u2014 with God\u2019s favor \u2014 I can be by their side, which is what I love. I\u2019m happy. I feel close to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Assad doesn\u2019t believe he rushed back from the initial oblique injury, though there were some adjustments made as he went through the rehab process a second time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou work differently and the team gives you a bit more time,\u201d Assad said. \u201cYou go a bit slower so that I can come back at 100% and have the time necessary to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
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