Drew Smyly had Tommy John surgery in June 2017, and after signing with the Chicago Cubs in December, the lefty was hoping to return at some point near the end of the 2018 season. The Cubs didn’t expect him back until 2019, but Smyly was optimistic, as he pitched in simulated games throughout August and went on a rehab assignment with the South Bend Cubs.
Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be for Smyly, as the Cubs officially shut him down for the year on Monday.
No setback. He wanted to pitch. Cubs determined not enough time RT @ESPNChiCubs: Drew Smyly shut down for season. Just not ready.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) September 10, 2018
The good news is that there wasn’t a setback, so Smyly is still on track to possibly compete for a starting rotation job next spring training.
Definitely frustrating for Smyly, who really thought he could contribute something in the final weeks of September, but he’ll have to wait until February to gear up for the 2019 season.
Smyly missed all of 2017, with other injuries before the Tommy John surgery, so he hasn’t pitched since 2016, when he made 30 starts with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The left-hander has a 3.74 ERA in 570.1 innings, making 85 starts during five seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Rays.
