The Chicago Cubs declined their 2025 club option on left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. Smyly operated exclusively out of the bullpen last summer and held a modest 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, with a 25:56 BB:K ratio across 58 2/3 innings of work. This was a significant improvement over the 5.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers should expect Smyly to continue to serve as a long-relief option or an occasional starter if he decides to continue his major league career this upcoming season. However, with his lack of upside, he should be left off of your fantasy radar.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly (hip) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week with High-A South Bend, per manager Craig Counsell. The 34-year-old journeyman was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23 with a right hip impingement and is nearing the final step in his recovery process. Smyly has operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season with a hefty 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 5:11 BB:K ratio. The southpaw started 23 games for the Cubs last season but looks to be stuck in a long relief role this season. When Smyly returns to major league action, he should be left on all waiver wires, but he could be worth streaming in NL-only formats if he were to make spot starts throughout the summer.
Drew Smyly, Jordan Wicks Throwing Bullpens Tuesday
Chicago Cubs left-handers Drew Smyly (hip) and Jordan Wicks (forearm) were both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Tuesday. Wicks went on the injured list over a week ago with a strained left forearm but is already good to throw off a mound, so it sounds as though his injury isn't very serious. However, the 24-year-old southpaw could need a minor-league rehab assignment before the Cubs feel comfortable returning him to their starting rotation. Smyly, 34, is recovering from a right-hip impingement and has already missed several weeks. Because Smyly is a reliever, he may not need as lengthy of a rehab assignment before rejoining Chicago's bullpen. In a starting role, Wicks is more attractive in fantasy in deeper leagues. He had a 4.70 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and 28 K's in five starts before his injury.
Chicago Cubs left-handers Jordan Wicks (forearm) and Drew Smyly (hip) have been cleared to resume playing catch. Wicks just landed on the 15-day injured list this past Sunday with a left-forearm strain, while Smyly has been out for two weeks due to a right-hip impingement. Wicks' injury is obviously a bit less serious, but it's good news for the Cubs pitching staff that both southpaws are ramping back up. It's unclear when either hurler will be able to return to the big-league roster, but when Wicks is ready, he should return to the rotation. The 24-year-old went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 28 K's in 23 innings in his first five starts. Smyly has plenty of starting experience, but he figures to return to the Cubs' bullpen when he's activated.
The Chicago Cubs placed pitchers Kyle Hendricks (back) and Drew Smyly (hip) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and recalled infielder Matt Mervis, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and left-hander Luke Little from Triple-A Iowa in corresponding moves. The 34-year-old Hendricks has been downright bad so far in 2024, posting a 12.00 ERA in his first five starts, but hopefully his back injury was mostly to blame. If left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) is able to return from his IL stint before Hendricks does, which is likely, Hendricks could find himself out of a rotation spot when he's ready to return. With Hendricks out, Wesneski is a candidate to fill his rotation spot until Steele is able to return. Little will give the Cubs another left-handed arm out of the bullpen to replace Smyly.
Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, Hayden Wesneski In Mix For No. 5 Role
Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski are expected to compete for the fifth starting pitcher role during Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Former first-round pick Jordan Wicks is also in the mix, but Bastian notes that he's likely "better served" opening the year at Triple-A. That leaves three pitchers for presumably just one spot in the rotation, assuming the top four starters remain healthy and productive this spring. All three hurlers have potential; Assad limited hits and runs last year, Wesneski boasted a .224 OBA and 10.67 K/9 following the All-Star Break, and Smyly is a lefty with plenty of MLB experience. The two odd men out will be top candidates for a shift to the bullpen, even if temporary.
Chicago Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly exercised his $8.5 million player option for the 2024 season on Monday. Smyly was a swingman for the Cubs in his second year in Chicago in 2023, making 41 total appearances (23 starts). The 34-year-old veteran southpaw wasn't very effective, though, going 11-11 with a 5.00 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with 56 walks and 141 strikeouts in his 142 1/3 innings pitched. He was much more effective in a relief role, as he had a 2.51 ERA and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 28 2/3 innings out of the bullpen compared to a 5.62 ERA and 8.1 K/9 in 113 2/3 innings as a starter. Smyly is going to have to be better in a starting role in spring training next year if he wants to win a rotation spot for the Cubbies to begin the 2024 regular season.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly is scheduled to rejoin the starting rotation for Tuesday's game against the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander has been working out of the bullpen since his last start on August 7. The Cubs ultimately decided to bring Smyly back to the rotation with Marcus Stroman (ribs) still on the injured list. Smyly has registered a 4.92 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 112/40 K/BB ratio over 26 appearances (21 starts) with the Cubs this season. He's normally not a favorable streaming option, but could be worth a look against the struggling Tigers' lineup.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly is likely to rejoin the starting rotation, according to manager David Ross. The Cubs are expected to be without Marcus Stroman (ribs) for the foreseeable future. That being said, the Cubs have a void to fill, so they will likely go with Smyly until Stroman is ready. This season, Smyly holds a 5.01 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 109/40 K/BB across 24 games (21 starts) with the Cubs this season. He didn't have much fantasy value during his last stint in the rotation, so it's hard to imagine Smyly doing much better this time around.
Chicago Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly will return to the team's starting rotation to take the mound on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds. He will be making a return to the rotation after two outings against the St. Louis Cardinals with an opener before him. Before the move to switch things up, the 34-year-old veteran southpaw had struggled to a rough 9.35 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in his previous four starts. Smyly was a bit better but still gave up some runs in his two relief appearances against the Cardinals, so fantasy managers will want to avoid him in a tough starting matchup against the Reds this week. In total in 2023, Smyly is 8-7 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 108 innings of work over 21 outings (19 starts). If the Cubs add another starting pitcher at Tuesday's trade deadline, Smyly could very well head back to the bullpen.
