Veteran right-hander Javier Assad, 27, is slated to make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, as he continues his lengthy journey back to the Chicago Cubs after suffering a left oblique injury during spring training in Arizona.

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.

After a 12-5 win on Friday, the White Sox entered the Game 2 of the Crosstown Series ranked first or second in MLB in runs scored (61), runs per game (8.7), run differential (plus-33), slugging percentage (.544), OPS (.909), hits (80), batting average (.307), on-base percentage (.365) and doubles (23).

Ian Happ and Matt Shaw homered in the seventh inning, helping Cade Horton and the Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox 6-1

The Chicago Cubs haven't been to the playoffs in a full season since 2018 and that was just one game, as they lost the Wild Card back when it was a one-and-done. They're coming off back-to-back 83-win seasons.

Here is what the Cubs are "desperate" for at the July 31 trade deadline, though there is a catch to the notion.