Cubs Finally Replacing Drew Smyly with Actual Starting Pitcher in Rotation

Left-handed starter Drew Smyly came out of the bullpen last week against the St. Louis Cardinals after Michael Fulmer pitched the first two innings as the opener for the Cubs. Smyly, who began the 2023 season with a 2.60 ERA through his first 10 starts, has been awful since June. Now, the Cubs are finally replacing his spot in the rotation with an actual starting pitcher.

Hayden Wesneski was the scheduled starting pitcher on Friday for the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A, but those plans have changed and it appears as though the 25-year-old will start in the big leagues against the Cardinals Friday night.

The Cubs were fortunate to win last Saturday against the Cardinals, as Smyly came into the game to begin the third inning in a 1-1 game and immediately gave up two runs. The veteran lefty threw 3.2 innings and allowed five runs, four of which were earned.

Luckily the Cubs offense picked up Smyly, while the bullpen shutdown the Cardinals in the final three innings to win 8-6. Right now, the Cubs are back in the playoff picture thanks to a six-game winning streak. Heading into Friday's game, the Cubs are four games back of a Wild Card spot, (3 back in the loss column) and are within 5.5 games of the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central Division.

It's good to see the Cubs being proactive with Smyly because these games do actually matter more than some thought they would a few weeks back.

Wesneski was optioned back to Triple-A in early July and since he's been back in Iowa, the right-handed pitcher has been absolutely filthy. He's pitched in three games and in 11 innings Wesneski has struck out 19 batters, while walking just two.

Wesneski began the 2023 season as the team’s fifth starter, winning the competition with his great showing during spring training. The rookie had ups and downs through the first month and a half and was eventually optioned to Triple-A in the middle of May, when Kyle Hendricks returned. Wesneski was back up at the end of May, but he was used as a reliever for the next five weeks before he was once again optioned to the Iowa Cubs on the 4th of July.

From May 31-July 2, Wesneski pitched in seven games with the Cubs. He was fine, recording a 4.22 ERA in 21.1 innings. The righty really only had one bad outing, allowing, five runs in three innings against the San Francisco Giants on June 11. In his other six games, Wesneski had a 2.45 ERA in 18.1 innings.

Meanwhile, including his last bullpen appearance, Smyly has posted a 6.89 ERA in his last 48.1 innings, dating back to May 28.

The Cubs will need to move someone from their active roster with Wesneski's pending call-up.