18 Drew Smyly SP

Smyly's forearm inflammation isn't considered particularly serious and may only cost him one start, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Smyly has had his fair share of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2017, so there would seem to be some justification for pessimism about his latest arm troubles. His team doesn't appear to be worried, however, with manager Brian Snitker noting that the lefty could have pitched through the injury if it occurred later in the season. For now, Atlanta is being cautious, sending him to the injured list and recalling Kyle Wright to take his place in the rotation.

Smyly was placed on the 10-day injured list with left forearm inflammation Friday.

Smyly hasn't gotten off to a great start this season, allowing nine runs (seven earned) in 11 innings through his first two turns in the rotation, and it's possible the injury is part of the problem. Forearm issues sometimes serve as the first warning sign of a very serious injury for pitchers, though it's not yet clear if that's the case with this particular problem. Kyle Wright was recalled to take his place Friday against the Cubs in a corresponding move.

Smyly allowed five runs on five hits while striking out three over five innings but did not factor in the decision during Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Phillies.

Smyly had a solid start to the game, as he gave up one hit through the first three innings, but fell apart in the fourth when he allowed two homers that amounted to four runs and a 5-3 lead for the Phillies. He did only have one bad inning but still wasn't nearly as sharp as he was in his first outing, as he managed just three strikeouts and continued to have some trouble with the long ball. He'll take a 5.73 ERA into his next start Friday against the Cubs, as he'll look to pick up his first win of the season.

Smyly gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over six innings during Tuesday's 6-5 loss at Washington. He recorded eight strikeouts and did not factor in the decision.

The left-hander was dealt two unearned runs after an error during the second inning, but he remained in line for the victory until the bullpen surrendered a run in each of the final two frames to blow the game. Nonetheless, it was a solid Atlanta debut for Smyly, and he'll attempt to perform similarly Sunday versus the Phillies.

Smyly could be facing an undermanned Nationals lineup Tuesday after a number of starters were absent from the team's on-field workout Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Eleven players in total are reported to be in quarantine for the Nats due to positive COVID-19 tests or being designated a close contact, and among the missing players Monday were Trea Turner, Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, Josh Harrison, and both the team's usual catchers in Yan Gomes and Alex Avila. Juan Soto may also not be 100 percent as he recovers from a calf injury, as he split reps during the workout with Yadiel Hernandez. Smyly's assignment gets a whole lot easier Tuesday afternoon if he ends up facing a lineup mostly made up of bench players and minor-league callups.

Smyly threw five scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out six.

The veteran southpaw lowered his spring ERA to 5.00 with the outing, but Smyly's 12:2 K:BB over nine innings offers a better indication of how he's pitched. He's expected to begin the season as Atlanta's No. 4 starter following a dazzling 2020 campaign with the Giants that saw him post a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 35.2 percent strikeout rate over 26.1 innings.

Smyly allowed one hit over two scoreless innings against the Orioles in his Grapefruit League debut for Atlanta on Wednesday, striking out the side in the second inning, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "This whole spring I've felt great," Smyly said afterward. "I feel like I have a great idea of the kind of pitcher I am. It takes a long time for a lot of guys to figure it out. The game is always evolving. You have to keep making adjustments. But I feel like I'm in a really good place with how to pitch, how to attack hitters. I'm just trying to carry that over."

The veteran southpaw has battled injuries throughout his career but has had stretches of dominance in between IL stints, including a stunning 35.2 percent strikeout rate over 26.1 innings last season for the Giants. Atlanta may have the rotation depth to weather an extended absence from Smyly, but if he can pitch like he did in 2020 for significantly more than just five starts, it would provide a big boost to the team's chances of defending its NL East crown.

Smyly signed a one-year, $11 million contract with Atlanta on Monday.

Smyly posted a 6.24 ERA in 2019, his first season back after missing two years due to Tommy John surgery. In 2020, however, he looked far better, posting a 3.42 ERA while striking out an impressive 37.8 percent of opposing batters. While that did come in a small sample of just 26.1 innings, it also came with a jump in his fastball velocity from 91.2 mph all the way up to 93.8. It would be a surprise if he can maintain that level of strikeout dominance over a full season given that he owns a solid but considerably less impressive 24.0 percent mark over the course of his career in that category, but there's reason to believe his 2019 blip is behind him and that he'll be quite a useful option in 2021.

Smyly (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over five innings Sunday, striking out 10 and taking the loss against the Padres.

Smyly was strong Sunday, but the Giants offense didn't provide much help. He coughed up a solo shot to Wil Myers in the second inning and an RBI double in the fourth to Mitch Moreland. Despite taking the loss, he struck out a season-high 10 batters and lowered his season ERA to 2.78 in 22.2 innings.

Smyly did not factor in the decision against Colorado on Tuesday, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five.

Smyly took the mound in a game with major playoff implications for San Francisco and held the Rockies scoreless until the sixth inning. He departed the contest with a chance for his first win but instead had to settle for a no-decision. Smyly has pitched well for the Giants this season, registering a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 16 innings. He's lined up to start the team's regular-season finale against San Diego on Sunday in a game that could determine a playoff berth.

Smyly gave up three runs on four hits and a walk and struck out eight over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.

Smyly threw 51 of 78 pitches for strikes in a solid but short performance. The southpaw has a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27 strikeouts across 16 innings this season. Smyly still hasn't pitched more than four innings in any of his five appearances. His next start is expected to be Monday at home versus the Rockies.

Smyly will start Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The poor air quality in Seattle caused a postponement of Tuesday's contest with the remaining two games being move to San Francisco, but Smyly will still start Wednesday as previously scheduled. The veteran southpaw worked as the bulk pitcher in his first outing off the injured list last week and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with eight strikeouts and one walk over four innings. Tyler Anderson was originally scheduled to start Tuesday but will now take the mound in Thursday's series finale.

Smyly will start Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Smyly tossed four innings out of the bullpen Thursday against the Padres after returning from the injured list, and he's evidently shown that he's ready to enter the rotation. The southpaw owns a 2.92 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 12.1 innings so far this season.

Smyly (finger) worked four innings of long relief in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Padres, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out eight.

After being reinstated from the injured list earlier in the day following a six-week absence due to a left index finger strain, Smyly wasn't fully stretched out for a traditional starting role, so manager Gabe Kapler elected to have him piggyback Trevor Cahill, who took the loss after giving up four runs in three innings. Smyly responded to the role change about as well as the Giants could have hoped, as the lefty's eight strikeouts were the most by a San Francisco reliever since 1984, per Andrew Simon of MLB.com. According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Kapler said after the game that he was impressed with how the southpaw located his pitches and maintained velocity throughout the outing, but the skipper was unwilling to say how Smyly will be deployed moving forward. Smyly could re-enter the rotation, continue to piggyback Cahill, or work in more of a hybrid role based on the Giants' needs.

Smyly (finger) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Trevor Cahill is starting Thursday, so perhaps Smyly will piggyback him as a lefty following a righty, or he could enter the rotation later this week. He had a 3.24 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 8.1 innings prior to hitting the IL.

Smyly (finger) could return from the injured list Wednesday or Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Smyly has been sidelined for over a month while dealing with a strained left index finger, but he's been steadily increasing his workload recently. Manager Gabe Kapler said that he could return to the rotation during the week. Tyler Anderson or Trevor Cahill could take on a bullpen role going forward depending on which day Smyly returns to action.

Smyly (finger) will throw three innings in a simulated game Saturday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smyly has been out for over a month with a strained left index finger, but he appears to be closing in on a return. He owned a 3.24 ERA and an 11:4 K:BB in 8.1 innings prior to suffering the injury.

Smyly (finger) is slated to report to the Giants' alternate training site in Sacramento on Tuesday to face hitters, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) is scheduled to do the same Tuesday, as the two starting pitchers remain on similar timelines to rejoin the active roster. Smyly received the green light to head to the alternate site after he completed a successful bullpen session Saturday, his second of the week. If Smyly fares well while facing hitters Tuesday, he could be a candidate to return from the 10-day injured list next weekend, when the Giants could require a replacement in the rotation for Trevor Cahill (hip).

Smyly (finger) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He continues to progress from a left index finger sprain. This will mark his second bullpen session, so he could soon advance to simulated games at the alternate training site.

Smyly (finger) threw off flat ground Friday and will be reevaluated over the weekend, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Smyly has already served the minimum 10 days on the injured list with a strained finger, but his return doesn't appear to be imminent. A clearer timeline should emerge over the weekend.