Chicago Cubs Plan to Move Veteran Pitcher Drew Smyly Into Bullpen Role

The Chicago Cubs are moving left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly into their bullpen, manager David Ross told reporters Wednesday.

Ross said Smyly will be in the bullpen for a "short" amount of time, and then the team will reassess from there. While Ross admitted Smyly still wants to be a starter, he also said the veteran is willing and able to prove himself in any role.

"I don't know if he needs a real mental break, I think it's just one of those things," Ross said. "It's an opportunity for him to help us out of the 'pen while he's not throwing his best."

Ross also attributed the move to an upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays – whose lineup has done well against lefties this season – as well as an irregular number of days off in the next week.

"He wants to win just like everybody else."

David Ross on Drew Smyly coming out of the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/Yz0Z3MYOmR
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 9, 2023

Smyly has drawn the start in 159 of his last 176 career outings, not spending any extended time as a reliever since his 2013 season with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers' rotation that year featured Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello, who have seven Cy Youngs between them and combined to start all but six games for Detroit.

The 2023 Cubs do not have a rotation on that level, but Marcus Stroman, Justin Steele and Kyle Hendricks have put up solid numbers thus far. Stroman is currently on the injured list, but he could return as soon as Tuesday.

Smyly is 10-1 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.194 WHIP in 85 career appearances out of the bullpen. The 34-year-old made two relief appearances in late July, giving up five earned runs and two home runs in 8.0 innings of work, but the Cubs held on to win both of those games.

From April 10 to June 19, Smyly was 7-3 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.154 WHIP across 14 starts. In his next four starts, however, Smyly was 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA and 2.019 WHIP.

Smyly made two more starts in August coming off his two relief appearances, putting up an 11.17 ERA and 1.655 WHIP.

As the southpaw heads back to the bullpen, the Cubs are riding a 16-5 hot streak that has vaulted them into the third and final NL Wild Card spot. Chicago had a 6.0% to make the postseason back on July 17, according to FanGraphs, but that figure is now up to 53.3%.

The 59-55 Cubs are slated to close out their series against the New York Mets on Wednesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m., and then hit the road to open a three-game set against the Blue Jays on Friday.

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