Drew Smyly SP

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.

Smyly (finger) won't throw for 7-to-10 days as he continues physical therapy, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Smyly was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left finger, and Tuesday's update indicates that he won't return after the minimum amount of time. The southpaw will be re-evaluated once the team returns to San Francisco late next week, after which a better timetable for his return could be established. Smyly made three appearances (two starts) to begin the season, allowing three runs on seven hits with an 11:4 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Tyler Anderson, Conner Menez and Trevor Cahill (finger) are candidates to fill Smyly's role in the rotation while he's sidelined.

Smyly was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left finger, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smyly exited Saturday's start with the injury and will be sidelined for at least two turns through the rotation after undergoing an MRI, though the severity of the injury remains unclear. Tyler Anderson, Conner Menez or Trevor Cahill are potential options to step into the rotation in his absence.

Smyly (finger) is currently undergoing an MRI but is increasingly expected to be placed on the injured list, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The left-hander was removed from Saturday's start due to left finger discomfort while facing the first batter of the fifth inning, and it appears the injury could result in some time on the shelf. Smyly won't have an official recovery timeline until the MRI results are announced, but the Giants could be forced to rely on Tyler Anderson, Conner Menez or Trevor Cahill for a spot start.

Manager Gabe Kapler said after Saturday's 7-3 win over the Rangers that Smyly (finger) will undergo an MRI, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Smyly gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven before he was pulled while facing the first batter of the fifth inning after he experienced discomfort in his left index finger. Sunday's MRI should shed more light on the severity of Smyly's injury, but if the southpaw can't make his next scheduled turn Thursday in Colorado, the Giants could turn to Tyler Anderson, Conner Menez or Trevor Cahill for a spot start.

Smyly exited Saturday's start against the Rangers with a left finger injury, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Though he surrendered two runs during the opening frame, the left-hander was pitching well with seven strikeouts through four innings, but he was unable to start the fifth frame. It's unclear if the finger issue -- which was officially labeled left finger discomfort, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle -- will impact Smyly's availability for his next start.

Smyly started Sunday's game against the Dodgers and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out two batters.

Smyly did an admirable job keeping this offense at bay, but manager Gabe Kapler did not hesitate to turn to his bullpen early with extra relievers at his disposal. The win was credited to Wandy Peralta. While Smyly has been prone to the long ball in recent years, he could eventually find his way back onto the streaming radar pitching in San Francisco, once he's stretched out a bit more (64 pitches Saturday). The lefty gets the Rangers at home next weekend.

Smyly will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

He threw one inning out of the bullpen in Thursday's game, which essentially was his side session ahead of this start. Smyly will likely have to be pretty efficient with his pitches to log five innings in his first start of the season, which seems unlikely given the lineup he will have to face.