Smyly allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits across four innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He walked one and struck out three.
Smyly was hit hard in his last spring tune-up, which raised his Cactus League ERA to 6.06. That doesn't give the veteran lefty a ton of momentum heading into the regular season, though his track record suggests he should rebound, particularly after he posted a 3.47 ERA for the Cubs across 106.1 innings last year. Smyly lines up to make his 2023 debut Monday against the Reds.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Looks better Friday
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Smyly tossed four scoreless innings in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed four hits and struck out two.
Smyly entered the contest with an 11.25 ERA across his first four innings this spring, so this was a welcome rebound. The lefty had allowed three home runs over his first two Cactus League starts, but he managed to avoid any long balls Friday. Smyly had a strong 3.47 ERA across 106.1 innings for the Cubs in 2022, and he should be able to post similar results this year if he can limit the damage from homers.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Off to slow start
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Smyly has an 11.25 ERA across four innings in two Cactus League starts.
Smyly has been hurt by the long ball so far, as he's allowed three home runs in his two short starts. The lefty posted a 1.4 HR/9 last year and has a 1.5 mark for his career, so home runs have always been a bit of an issue. Smyly still managed a strong 3.47 ERA across 106.1 innings for the Cubs in 2022, and he should slot in near the back of the team's rotation this year. The veteran could have some fantasy value in the right matchups, though his propensity to allow homers along with his injury history remain red flags.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Returns to Cubs
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Smyly signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Smyly will return to Chicago for at least two more seasons after he declined a mutual option worth $10 million with the club earlier in the offseason. In 2022 -- his first season with the Cubs -- Smyly maintained a solid 3.47 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, though he was limited to 106.1 innings due to an oblique strain. According to Murray, Smyly's new deal also includes a mutual option worth $10 million for the 2025 campaign and it includes a $2.5 million buyout.
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Drew Smyly: Declines mutual option
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Smyly declined his portion of the $10 million mutual option with the Cubs for 2023 on Tuesday, making him a free agent, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Smyly signed with Chicago in March and started 22 games last season, and he pitched well with a 3.47 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 91:26 K:BB across 106.1 innings. The Cubs are interested in re-signing the 33-year-old lefty, though he figures to garner a fair amount of interest in free agency following a solid showing in 2022.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Allows one run over three innings
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Smyly did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on four hits over three innings against Cincinnati. He struck out two.
The only damage against Smyly came on a two-out Kyle Farmer single in the top of the third to score Spencer Steer. However, the left-hander needed 62 pitches to get through three innings and was relieved by Adbert Alzolay to begin the fourth. Smyly has now allowed one run or fewer in each of his last three starts, registering 15 strikeouts to only three walks over that stretch.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Set to start Saturday
Rotowire
Smyly (shoulder) is scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Smyly threw his second bullpen session of the week Thursday and will start Saturday after being unavailable the past couple weeks with shoulder fatigue. It will be the final start of 2022 for the veteran lefty, who has a 3.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 89:26 K:BB across 103.1 innings this season.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Throws another bullpen
Rotowire
Smyly (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Smyly also threw off a mound Tuesday, and he's felt good following each throwing session. Manager David Ross said Wednesday that he expects Smyly to make one more start prior to the end of the regular season, but it's not yet clear when that could occur.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Expected to make another start
Rotowire
Manager David Ross said Wednesday that he expects Smyly (shoulder) to make another start prior to the end of the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Smyly was scratched from last Wednesday's start due to shoulder fatigue but threw a bullpen session Tuesday. While Ross didn't indicate which day Smyly will return to game action, the southpaw should have another chance to take the mound for the Cubs over the final week of the regular season.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Next start TBD
Rotowire
Smyly (shoulder) will not start a game in next week's series against the Phillies, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
He was scratched from this week's start due to shoulder fatigue and threw a bullpen session Sunday. It's unclear when Smyly will be able to return to game action, but we can rule out a start in the first series of next week.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Plays catch
Rotowire
Smyly (shoulder) played catch Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Smyly was scratched from his start Wednesday against the Marlins due to shoulder fatigue but isn't expected to miss any more outings. Assuming his shoulder responds well, he should start Tuesday or Wednesday against the Phillies.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Likely returning next week
Rotowire
Smyly (shoulder) will likely make his next start Tuesday or Wednesday against the Phillies, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Smyly was scratched from Wednesday's start against Miami due to left shoulder fatigue and won't take the mound during the Cubs' weekend series in Pittsburgh. However, the southpaw isn't believed to be dealing with a significant injury and should be able to return to action after missing just one turn through the rotation.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Scratched from Wednesday's start
Rotowire
Smyly is experiencing shoulder fatigue and will not start Wednesday against the Marlins, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
According to the report, Smyly is not believed to be dealing with "anything serious," but he will get more time before his next start, and the Cubs will likely be sure he is back at 100 percent before adding him back to the rotation. Marcus Stroman will move up a day and start Wednesday in Smyly's place.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Sleeper pitchers for Week 25 (Sept. 19-25)
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The Marlins are absolutely dreadful against lefties, and Smyly is getting them at the right time, having put together a 2.23 ERA in his past eight starts. His outings are sometimes cut short, but he's gone at least six innings in four of those eight.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Records win with solid performance
Rotowire
Smyly (7-8) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over five innings against the Mets. He struck out five.
Smyly allowed his lone earned run in the form of a solo shot from catcher Tomas Nido with one out in the third inning. Excluding a terrible outing in St. Louis when he gave up seven runs in 2.1 innings, the lefty has been phenomenal since the start of August with just four earned runs allowed in 35 innings across seven starts. The 33-year-old has been far better at home with a 2.38 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 41.2 innings compared to a 4.23 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 61.2 innings away from Wrigley.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
Smyly's seven-inning gem against the Giants Friday -- one in which he allowed no earned runs on one hit with eight strikeouts on 23 swinging strikes -- may seem like an isolated event, particularly coming off a seven-run disaster the start before. But even counting that disaster start, he has a 2.29 ERA in his past seven with a swinging-strike rate of 14 percent. That's in line with Carlos Rodon's full-season mark. Smyly has gone at least six innings in four of those starts, too, so it's not like the workload is too small to matter. His upcoming matchup against the Mets you might want to skip, but he gets the Marlins and Pirates thereafter.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Fans eight in win
Rotowire
Smyly (6-8) allowed one unearned run on one hit and two walks over seven innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over San Francisco.
Smyly fired seven shutout frames before he was charged with an unearned run in the eighth. He's given up two or fewer runs in eight of his last 10 starts, but the veteran lefty has only a 4-3 record during that span despite registering a 2.85 ERA. On the year, Smyly is sporting a 3.57 ERA with an 84:25 K:BB through 98.1 innings. He's expected to face the Rockies at home next week.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Sunk by third inning
Rotowire
Smyly (5-8) took the loss during Saturday's 8-4 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals, allowing seven runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings.
Smyly was provided a three-run lead before he took the mound but surrendered a Paul Goldschmidt two-run home run in the bottom of the first and five more runs in the third before being pulled. The poor start follows a sensational August that featured a 0.90 ERA across 30 innings -- Saturday's outing increased the 33-year-old's ERA more than half a run from 3.24 to 3.84. Smyly lines up to take the mound again next weekend at home against San Francisco.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Allows no runs in six innings
Rotowire
Smyly did not factor into the decision against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one over six innings.
Smyly pitched a gem against the Brewers, throwing 62 of 86 pitches for strikes across six frames. Despite six Milwaukee batters reaching base, Smyly was able to keep all of them from reaching home. He was left with the no-decision after his bullpen allowed seven runs in the final two innings. The lefty has been incredible this month, picking up three quality starts to go along with a 0.90 ERA. Smyly began the month with a 3.97 ERA but has since lowered it to 3.24.
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Cubs' Drew Smyly: Pitches well again but takes loss
Rotowire
Smyly (5-7) allowed just one run on four hits across seven innings but took the loss Monday against the Cardinals. He walked two and struck out six.
An Albert Pujols home run in the seventh inning was the only offense against Smyly, but it was enough to lead St. Louis to a 1-0 victory, as Jordan Montgomery outdueled Smyly with nine shutout innings. Despite the loss, Smyly still looked really good for the fourth game in a row. In those outings, the lefty has allowed just three earned runs across 24 innings, and he's struck out 23 against just five walks. The veteran has lowered his ERA to 3.47 in the process, and the good run has put Smyly back on the fantasy radar. He'll look to keep it rolling in his next scheduled start Saturday against the Brewers.
