Chicago Cubs Activate Fan-Favorite Pitcher, Option Right-Hander

The Chicago Cubs are welcoming back a familiar face to the rotation on Saturday ahead of their matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kade Kistner | May 25, 2024

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

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Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are mixing up their pitching staff ahead of their matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

The club announced it was activating the left-handed from the 15-day injured list and optioning Jose Cuas to Triple-A Iowa.

Smyly is in his third year with the Cubs and this year he has operated out of the bullpen. Before hitting the injured list on April 23 with a hip impingement, Smyly produced a 4.97 ERA in 12.2 innings pitched.

Since joining Chicago in 2022, Smyly has dealt with some injuries but has been relatively effective both as a starter and out of the bullpen. In 261.1 innings pitched for the Cubs, the 35-year-old owns a 4.37 ERA with a 1.328 WHIP.

Smyly's return to the bullpen will bring a more lefty heavy feel to it.

Meanwhile, Cuas's demotion was warranted as he posted a 7.43 ERA in nine appearences for Chicago this season. He may get his chance at the MLB level again if another injury arises. However, he will continue to hone his stuff down in the minor leagues until then.

The Cubs will take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday at Busch Stadium with first pitch slated for 6:15 PM CT. Jameson Taillon will take the mound for Chicago while Mike Mikolas will oppose him for the Cardinals.

Published May 25, 2024

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.