When the Cubs signed Drew Smyly earlier this offseason, the hope was that he could return at the tail end of 2018 to give a boost to the bullpen, a role in which the lefty previously excelled. His 2013 season with Detroit yielded a stellar 2.37 ERA and 2.31 FIP across 63 relief appearances, after which he became a full-time starter.
He continued to pitch well out of the rotation after a trade to Tampa in 2014, but battled through injuries and had a disappointing 2016 campaign. Tommy John surgery forced him to miss all of 2017 and should keep him on shelf for most of this season, but the Cubs are banking on a return to form once he’s fully recovered.