33 Drew Smyly SP

Smyly (elbow) will pitch one inning during a rehab assignment Thursday with Low-A South Bend, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.

Smyly is set to appear in a live game for the first time since last June before undergoing Tommy John surgery that has kept him sidelined for the past 14 months. He's been able to throw a decent helping of simulated games, but this will be his first test at the minor-league level. His eventual return date is still uncertain, so this outing, and any additional rehab appearances will go a long way in determining whether Smyly can return to the majors this season.

Smyly (elbow) tossed a simulated game Sunday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Smyly, who has been facing hitters for the better part of August, pitched exclusively against Victor Cartini and a rehabbing Kris Bryant (shoulder). The southpaw hasn't endured any reported setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and could soon be ready to pitch in an uncontrolled setting, but it remains uncertain if he'll be activated from the 60-day disabled list before the season draws to a close. If Smyly does debut for the Cubs in 2018, it would likely be out of the bullpen, as he's running out of time to build up for a starter's workload.

Smyly (elbow) threw another simulated game Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

This marked Smyly's third simulated game in the past couple weeks as he continues to work back from Tommy John surgery he underwent last June. Look for him to advance to a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future.

Smyly (elbow) is scheduled to throw simulated games Thursday and Sunday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Smyly is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has been out since last June. Assuming his sim games go well, he could start a rehab assignment by the end of July. Given the length of his absence, the rehab assignment won't be a short one, but he could return sometime in the middle of August.

Smyly (elbow) expects to start a minor-league rehab assignment near the end of July, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Smyly stated that he's worked up to three frames in simulated games, so he's making steady progress on his way back from Tommy John surgery. Smyly went under the knife in June of 2017. If he can begin a rehab assignment by the end of the month, the 29-year-old has a chance to come off the disabled list sometime in August.