Cody Bellinger picks up his $27.5 million player option with the Cubs, AP source says
Cody Bellinger has picked up his $27.5 million player option with the Chicago Cubs, answering a major offseason question for the teamNOVEMBER 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DREW SMYLY #11 - PITCHER - CHICAGO CUBS
4-8 W-L •
1.40 WHIP •
3.84 ERA
4-8 W-L
1.40 WHIP
3.84 ERA
Let go by CHC The Cubs declined Smyly's $10 million mutual option for 2025 on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Impact Smyly moved to the bullpen full-time in 2024 and logged a 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 58.2 innings. While those are both improvements from his 2023 statline (5.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP), the Cubs will elect to pay the southpaw's $2.5 million buyout rather than keep him on the squad for his age-36 season.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Cody Bellinger knocks in 3 as Cubs beat Nationals 7-6 to stave off postseason elimination
Seiya Suzuki homered, Cody Bellinger drove in three runs and the Chicago Cubs topped the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Thursday night to stave off elimination from the postseasonSEPTEMBER 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Takes loss Saturday Smyly (3-8) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while retiring just one batter to take the loss in Saturday's 6-5, extra-inning defeat to the Rockies.
Impact After Porter Hodge blew the save in the bottom of the ninth inning to force the game into the 10th, Smyly allowed the automatic baserunner to come around and score to take the loss. The lefty's record doesn't reflect it, but he's pitched well this year out of the bullpen with a 3.54 ERA and 53 strikeouts across 56 innings. Smyly was placed on waivers back in late August, though he's stuck around Chicago and will continue to see high-leverage work for the Cubs in the final few weeks of the regular season.
SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE
Cody Bellinger homers to cap 7-run 2nd inning as Cubs take series opener from Nationals, 7-6
Cody Bellinger homered to cap a seven-run second inning, and the Chicago Cubs held on to defeat the Washington Nationals 7-6 in the opener of a three-game seriesAUGUST 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Placed on waivers The Cubs placed Smyly on outright waivers Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Smyly will now be available to be claimed off waivers by the 29 other teams in the league after producing a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 43 strikeouts over 50.2 innings in 39 appearances out of the bullpen with Chicago. The left-hander will likely have no shortage of teams interested in him and a postseason contender could use his services to bolster their bullpen down the stretch.
AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE
Bellinger has 2-run double and Swanson homers to lift the Cubs over the Tigers 3-1
Cody Bellinger hit a two-run double and Dansby Swanson homered to lift the Cubs over the Tigers 3-1 on Tuesday nightAUGUST 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB Announcer Makes Wild Comment About Pitcher Killing Himself After Go-Ahead Homer Cleveland Guardians announcer Rick Manning made a wild comment about Drew Smyly wanting to kill himself after giving up a massive home run.
AUGUST 14 • OUTKICK.COM
Takes loss Tuesday Smyly (3-6) allowed a solo home run across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss Tuesday against the Guardians. He struck out one.
Impact A blast by Jhonkensy Noel in the fifth inning was the only damage against Smyly, but it saddled him with the loss in Cleveland's 2-1 victory. Despite the 3-6 record, Smyly has been solid this season with a 2.83 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 47.2 innings. All of that work has come out of the bullpen, which is a contrast from last year, when the veteran lefty made 23 starts for the Cubs.
AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE
Rookie Jhonkensy Noel hits a 430-foot homer for the go-ahead run as the Guardians edge the Cubs 2-1
Jhonkensy Noel hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, providing the go-ahead run for the Cleveland Guardians in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago CubsAUGUST 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Earns win in relief Monday Smyly (3-5) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Monday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit and didn't record any walks or strikeouts.
Impact Chicago starter Javier Assad didn't allow any runs over his 3.1 innings of work, but he also issued six walks and threw 76 pitches, which forced Smyly into the game early. The veteran lefty continued his strong recent play and lowered his season ERA to 2.79. The Cubs have stuck with Assad and Kyle Hendricks at the back of their rotation, though both pitchers have had their struggles this season and could be bumped for Smyly if the team decides to make a change at some point.
JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Earns win in relief Monday Smyly (3-5) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Monday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit and didn't record any walks or strikeouts.
Impact Cubs starter Javier Assad didn't allow any runs over his 3.1 innings of work, but he also issued six walks and threw 76 pitches, which forced Smyly into the game early. The veteran lefty continued his strong recent form and lowered his ERA to 2.79. Chicago has stuck with Assad and Kyle Hendricks at the back of its rotation, though both pitchers have had their struggles this season and could be bumped for Smyly if the team decides to make a change.
JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Ian Happ homers, 6 Cubs pitchers cobble together 3-1 win over Brewers
Ian Happ lined a solo homer, six Chicago pitchers cobbled together a five-hitter and the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1JULY 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Effective again Saturday Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. He allowed a hit and struck out one.
Impact Smyly continues to pitch well for the Cubs in a long-relief role, as he's allowed just one run this month in six appearances. Overall, the veteran lefty has lowered his ERA to 2.92, which would be the second lowest mark of his 11-year MLB career. Chicago seems content to keep Smyly in the bullpen, though fifth starter Kyle Hendricks has a 6.69 ERA and could get bumped from the rotation if the team decides to mix things up at some point.
JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Earns hold Sunday Smyly tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals.
Impact Smyly picked things up after Chicago starter Jameson Taillon covered 5.2 innings, and the former was effective across his 16 pitches, earning his third hold of the season in the process. Smyly had a solid first half of the season, posting a 3.09 ERA across 35 innings of relief. While the veteran lefty has plenty of starting experience in his career, he's worked exclusively out of the bullpen so far in 2024, and he'll likely stick in that role after the All-Star break.
JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE
Goes two frames after starter exits Smyly allowed a walk and a solo home run over two innings of relief in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Angels. He struck out one.
Impact Starter Kyle Hendricks left the game after two innings due to back tightness, which forced the Cubs to use five relievers, including Smyly. The veteran lefty has been solid this year with a 3.48 ERA and 31 strikeouts across 31 innings of relief work. While he's been used exclusively out of the bullpen so far in 2024, Smyly did make 23 starts for the team last season, and he could be an option for the rotation in the short term if Hendricks has to miss any time.
JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE
Giants rally to top Cubs 5-4, snap five-game skid
Wilmer Flores drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth, capping a wild comeback as the San Francisco Giants snapped a five-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Chicago...JUNE 25 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Santiago Espinal hits 2-run homer, Reds hold on to beat Cubs 5-4
Santiago Espinal hit a two-run homer while pinch hitting in the seventh inning and the Cincinnati Reds held on to beat the sliding Chicago Cubs 5-4MAY 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reinstated from IL The Cubs reinstated Smyly (hip) from the injured list Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Smyly landed on the injured list in late April due to a right hip impingement, and he struck out five batters in three scoreless innings during his lone rehab game at High-A South Bend on Tuesday. He had put up a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 12.2 innings before getting injured and figures to reprise his role as a middle reliever now that he's fully recovered. Jose Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.
MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE
Shines in rehab start Smyly (hip) struck out five over three perfect innings in his rehab start Tuesday with High-A South Bend.
Impact Pitching in a game for the first time in a month after landing on the 15-day injured list April 23 with a right hip impingement, Smyly looked about as good as possible while tossing 40 pitches. The lefty had been working exclusively as a reliever prior to landing on the shelf, but with the Cubs moving the struggling Kyle Hendricks to the bullpen earlier this week, Smyly could be under consideration to step in as the team's No. 5 starter if he makes it back from the IL before Jordan Wicks (forearm). If the Cubs intend to bring Smyly back in a starting role, he'll still need to get stretched out a bit further, so it wouldn't be surprising if he stuck around at South Bend or joined a higher-level affiliate for another rehab outing. Regardless of whether Smyly serves as a starter or reliever upon his return to the Cubs, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that he expects the 34-year-old to be activated at some point next week, per MLB.com.
MAY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Making rehab start Smyly (hip) will make a rehab start Tuesday with High-A South Bend, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Impact Smyly is set for his first rehab appearance since suffering a pinched nerve in his right hip back in April. It's unclear how long of a rehab stint is required, but Smyly should be on pace to return in late May or early June.
MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner misses 4th straight game with left hamstring issue
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner has missed his fourth consecutive game, increasing the possibility that he could need a stint on the injured listMAY 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs OF Cody Bellinger sidelined by two fractured ribs on his right side
Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs on his right side, sidelining another key player for the Chicago CubsAPRIL 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly put on injured list by Chicago Cubs
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks and left-hander Drew Smyly were placed on the 15-day injured list by the Chicago Cubs before a series opener against the Houston AstrosAPRIL 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs place LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Kyle Hendricks on IL The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Kyle Hendricks and left-hander Drew Smyly on the 15-day injured list Tuesday as the club made several r...
APRIL 23 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
