DREW SMYLY NEWS

Marte hits tying homer in 9th, Grichuk has winning double in 10th, D-backs beat Cubs 12-11

Ketel Marte hit a tying solo homer with two outs in the ninth, and Randal Grichuk won it with a pinch-hit RBI double in the 10th, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks to a wild 12-11 v...

APRIL 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

World champion Rangers overcome disputed tip and beat Cubs 4-3 on Heim's 10th-inning single

Jonah Heim hit a game-ending RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning as the World Series champion Texas Rangers opened the season with a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs

MARCH 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pitches well Sunday Smyly tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rangers. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out four.

Impact Smyly still has a rough 6.14 ERA in Cactus League play due to some rough outings earlier this spring, but this was a step in the right direction. The veteran lefty is likely headed for a bullpen role at some point, though a short-term opportunity to start may open up with Jameson Taillon (back) in jeopardy of missing time to start the regular season. Righties Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski are also options for spot starting duties.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

How adding a slider could address Drew Smyly's 2023 issues vs left-handed hitters Smyly spent the offseason working out at Driveline.

FEBRUARY 24 • SUNTIMES.COM

Takes loss in finale Smyly (11-11) allowed three runs on two hits while retiring only a single batter to take the loss Sunday against the Brewers. He walked three.

Impact Smyly struggled badly in the season finale, throwing just 11 of his 28 pitches for strikes and retiring only the one batter. The veteran southpaw bounced between the bullpen and rotation this year, ultimately making 23 starts and 18 relief appearances. Smyly finishes 2023 with an even 5.00 ERA across 142.1 innings. He's under contract next season in Chicago, though he's not the most appealing fantasy option at this point in his career and is probably best used as a matchup play if he's starting games.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Sunday Smyly will start Sunday's game against the Brewers, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Impact Smyly figures to work a few innings in what may turn out to be a bullpen game for Chicago after the club was eliminated from postseason contention Saturday night. The veteran southpaw has plenty of experience in a starting role, though he was converted to a reliever for the final month of the season and has worked only 15.2 innings over 11 appearances in September.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly: Chicago Cubs lefty eyes return to form in bullpen Chicago Cubs veteran left-hander Drew Smyly is trying to make the best of his situation as he shifts from rotation back to the bullpen.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Likely returning to bullpen Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday that Smyly will likely return to the bullpen, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Impact It's unclear who might fill the vacant rotation spot, though Hoyer offered an intriguing "no comment" when asked if it could be top pitching prospect Jordan Wicks. Smyly was lit up for seven earned runs over 3.2 innings in his most recent start Tuesday at Detroit and holds a 5.28 ERA in 124.1 total innings (22 starts, five relief appearances) this year.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Seven earned runs in loss Smyly (9-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks over 3.2 innings in a 8-6 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

Impact The veteran southpaw's return to Chicago's rotation was a disaster, as he allowed 11 baserunners and served up two long homers to Andy Ibanez in less than four innings. Smyly pitched well in his three recent relief appearances, but this marks his second consecutive start allowing seven earned runs. Smyly now has an 8.60 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 30.1 second-half innings and it remains to be seen whether he will receive another start.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly headed back to rotation for Cubs' meeting with Tigers Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly has looked good this month in a relief role, but he will try to get back on track as a starter on Tuesday when C...

AUGUST 22, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Smyly's return to Cubs rotation planned for Tuesday The Cubs are planning to return veteran left-hander Drew Smyly to the starting rotation on Tuesday in Detroit. Smyly went to the bullpen fol...

AUGUST 20, 2023 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Rejoining rotation Tuesday Smyly is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Impact The veteran left-hander was shifted to the bullpen earlier in August and covered one frame in each of his past three outings, but he'll return to the rotation Tuesday with Marcus Stroman (ribs/hip) still on the injured list. Smyly hasn't covered multiple innings since his last start Aug. 7, so he could have some workload limitations in Detroit. Even without those limitations, Smyly's 4.92 ERA in 21 starts this year makes him an undesirable fantasy option.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs move Drew Smyly to the bullpen 'for probably a short amount of time,' hoping for short bursts of aggression The tying and go-ahead runs advanced to scoring position after Nick Madrigal’ s pinch-hit sacrifice bunt, but Christopher Morel struck out l...

AUGUST 10, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM

Chicago Cubs move Drew Smyly to the bullpen Drew Smyly’s time in the Chicago Cubs' rotation is over, at least for the foreseeable future, plus a prospect injury update.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Suzuki returns to form, but Cubs drop game and series to the Mets Before the game, manager David Ross announced left-hander Drew Smyly will be moving to the bullpen.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Cubs move LHP Drew Smyly to the bullpen and will start rookie RHP Javier Assad on Friday in Toronto

With every game critical in a close playoff race, the Chicago Cubs are moving struggling left-hander Drew Smyly to the bullpen

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moved to bullpen Cubs manager David Ross announced Wednesday that Smyly has been moved to the bullpen, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Chicago has three days off in the next week and can roll with a smaller rotation for a bit. Smyly was lit up for seven earned runs over five innings in his last turn Monday versus the Mets as his season ERA rose to 5.05.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs — now back in playoff contention — need Drew Smyly to start getting better results Their slate features nine more games against the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, with their regular season ending in Milwaukee. Manag...

AUGUST 8, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM

Chicago Cubs need Drew Smyly to start getting better results Inconsistencies emerged again for Chicago Cubs starter Drew Smyly, with the recent familiar combination of a mix of good stuff in moments, u...

AUGUST 8, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Lit up again Monday Smyly (8-8) took the loss against the Mets on Monday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five-plus innings.

Impact It was another uninspiring performance by Smyly, who was victimized by two Pete Alonso homers within the first three innings that accounted for five of the runs against him. Despite the long balls, the left-handed hurler managed to get through five frames without completely falling apart, but he allowed three straight singles to open the sixth and then departed after walking in a run. Smyly has given up 12 runs over 9.2 innings across his past two starts and has surrendered at least four earned runs in six of eight outings dating back to June 28. That poor stretch has lifted his ERA from a respectable 3.37 to 5.05.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs stand by Smyly despite extended funk NEW YORK -- Drew Smyly paced on the mound as Cubs manager David Ross made his way from the visitors’ dugout at Citi Field on Monday night. A...

AUGUST 8, 2023 • MLB.COM

Struggles in no-decison Smyly tossed 4.2 innings against Cincinnati on Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and no walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

Impact Smyly had pitched behind an opener in each of his two previous outings, but he returned to a traditional starting role Wednesday. The change didn't appear to benefit the left-hander, as he fell behind 5-2 after four frames and was pulled with two outs in the fifth. The Cubs eventually came back with a massive offensive outburst in the late innings to take Smyly off the hook, but that doesn't do much to soften Smyly's struggles. After pitching well for a period earlier in the campaign, the veteran hurler has mostly fallen off the fantasy radar, posting an 8.40 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 30 innings across his past seven starts.

AUGUST 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to starting role Smyly is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Reds at Wrigley Field, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Smyly was never removed from the rotation, but the Cubs elected to deploy him behind an opener in both of this last two turns after he had posted a 9.35 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in his preceding four starts. Though Smyly showed improved results in his most recent two outings working out of the bullpen (5.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 11:2 K:BB in eight innings), the Cubs will give the lefty another chance to prove himself in a traditional starting role. Multiple reports have suggested that the surging Cubs won't be dealing staff ace Marcus Stroman prior to Tuesday's trade deadline while they pursue a division title or wild-card spot, but it's unclear if the team will seek out potential upgrades to Smyly ahead of the deadline.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans six in win Smyly (8-7) yielded one run on two hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win against the Cardinals.

Impact Smyly worked out of the bullpen again Friday, beginning in the third inning after Hayden Wesneski covered the first two frames. It was a solid rebound after Smyly had allowed 22 earned runs over his previous 21 innings. He lowered his season ERA to 4.50 with a 97:37 K:BB through 108 frames. Smyly is expected to remain in a bulk relief role for right now and is currently in line to work against the Reds at home next week.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Might stay in bulk relief Smyly is not certain to start Friday against the Cardinals, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The 34-year-old lefty was used in bulk relief, with Michael Fulmer operating as the Cubs' opener, on what would have been Smyly's last turn through the rotation July 22 versus St. Louis. It sounds like manager David Ross is considering doing something similar for Friday's game at Busch Stadium. Smyly has posted a brutal 9.86 ERA over his last 21 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) dating back to June 28.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE