The Chicago Cubs have made changes to their pitching lineup ahead of Saturday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals by activating veteran Drew Smyly from the injured list, the team announced.
Smyly, who had been sidelined since April 23 due to a right hip impingement, will replace José Cuas, who has been sent down to Triple-A Iowa.
Now in his third season of his current stint with the Cubs, Smyly has had mixed results out of the bullpen in nine games this year.
He has recorded a 4.97 ERA with five walks and 11 strikeouts over 12.2 innings, along with a 4.63 FIP and 1.342 WHIP, showing some improvement over his 2023 performance.
Turning 35 next month, Smyly brings left-handed depth to the Cubs bullpen, and the team is hopeful he can return to the form he showed in 2022 and the first half of 2023.
Meanwhile, Cuas, a 29-year-old right-hander, will return to Iowa after delivering mixed results in his recent appearances.
Although he had three consecutive scoreless outings after rejoining the major league roster on May 11, Cuas struggled in his last game against the Atlanta Braves, giving up three hits and four runs (three earned).
Cuas has a 7.43 ERA over nine games with the Cubs this season, with six walks and 14 strikeouts.
Following the postponement of Friday night’s game, the Cubs will face the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time in 2024 at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:15 p.m. local time.
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