The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Javier Assad on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm strain.

To replace Assad on the active roster, the Cubs signed free agent Vinny Nittoli and transferred fellow right-hander Yency Almonte (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

Assad, 26, is 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 16 starts for the Cubs. He last pitched Sunday when he gave up four runs on seven hits while matching a season low of 4 1/3 innings in a 5-2 loss to the New York Mets.

Over three seasons with the Cubs, Assad is 11-8 with a 3.05 ERA in 57 appearances (34 starts).

Nittoli, 33, had been outrighted by the Oakland Athletics and elected for free agency over an assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas.

He made seven relief appearances with the A's this season. He is 0-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 13 career relief appearances over four seasons with four different clubs.