As the Cubs figure out the innings puzzle for the last five weeks of the regular season, right-hander Javier Assad is expected to play an important role. But the team optioned him Saturday to Triple-A Iowa after his best start of the season and recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks.

Chicago Cubs star Kyle Tucker went over a month without a home run before he finally ended his drought Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. Tucker then hit two more bombs in Saturday’s 12-1 victory, giving the Cubs and their fans hope that his baffling slump is officially over.