The Cubs declined Smyly's $10 million mutual option for 2025 on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly moved to the bullpen full-time in 2024 and logged a 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 58.2 innings. While those are both improvements from his 2023 statline (5.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP), the Cubs will elect to pay the southpaw's $2.5 million buyout rather than keep him on the squad for his age-36 season.

Smyly (3-8) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while retiring just one batter to take the loss in Saturday's 6-5, extra-inning defeat to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

After Porter Hodge blew the save in the bottom of the ninth inning to force the game into the 10th, Smyly allowed the automatic baserunner to come around and score to take the loss. The lefty's record doesn't reflect it, but he's pitched well this year out of the bullpen with a 3.54 ERA and 53 strikeouts across 56 innings. Smyly was placed on waivers back in late August, though he's stuck around in Chicago and will likely continue to see high-leverage work for the Cubs in the final few weeks of the regular season.

The Cubs placed Smyly on outright waivers Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly will now be available to be claimed off waivers by the 29 other teams in the league after producing a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 43 strikeouts over 50.2 innings in 39 appearances out of the bullpen with Chicago. The left-hander will likely have no shortage of teams interested in him and a postseason contender could use his services to bolster their bullpen down the stretch.

Smyly (3-6) allowed a solo home run across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss Tuesday against the Guardians. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

A blast by Jhonkensy Noel in the fifth inning was the only damage against Smyly, but it saddled him with the loss in Cleveland's 2-1 victory. Despite the 3-6 record, Smyly has been solid this season with a 2.83 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 47.2 innings. All of that work has come out of the bullpen, which is a contrast from last year, when the veteran lefty made 23 starts for the Cubs.

Smyly (3-5) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Monday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit and didn't record any walks or strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago starter Javier Assad didn't allow any runs over his 3.1 innings of work, but he also issued six walks and threw 76 pitches, which forced Smyly into the game early. The veteran lefty continued his strong recent play and lowered his season ERA to 2.79. The Cubs have stuck with Assad and Kyle Hendricks at the back of their rotation, though both pitchers have had their struggles this season and could be bumped for Smyly if the team decides to make a change at some point.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly continues to pitch well for the Cubs in a long-relief role, as he's allowed just one run this month in six appearances. Overall, the veteran lefty has lowered his ERA to 2.92, which would be the second-lowest mark of his 11-year MLB career. Chicago seems content to keep Smyly in the bullpen, though fifth starter Kyle Hendricks has a 6.69 ERA and could get bumped from the rotation if the team decides to mix things up at some point.

Smyly tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn a hold in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly picked things up after Chicago starter Jameson Taillon covered 5.2 innings, and the former was effective across his 16 pitches, earning his third hold of the season in the process. Smyly had a solid first half of the season, posting a 3.09 ERA across 35 innings of relief. While the veteran lefty has plenty of starting experience in his career, he's worked exclusively out of the bullpen so far in 2024, and he'll likely stick in that role after the All-Star break.

Smyly allowed a walk and a solo home run over two innings of relief in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Angels. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Starter Kyle Hendricks left the game after two innings due to back tightness, which forced the Cubs to use five relievers, including Smyly. The veteran lefty has been solid this year with a 3.48 ERA and 31 strikeouts across 31 innings of relief work. While he's been used exclusively out of the bullpen so far in 2024, Smyly did make 23 starts for the team last season, and he could be an option for the rotation in the short term if Hendricks has to miss any time.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Brewers. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struggled, allowing seven runs over 3.2 innings, which forced the Cubs to get some long-relief work from Smyly. The veteran had allowed runs in his last two appearances, but he was better Sunday as he lowered his season ERA to 3.54. Hendricks now has a 7.48 ERA, and the Cubs may be forced to remove him from the rotation at some point if he can't turn things around. Smyly, who started 23 games for the team last season, could be an option to slide into that role, though he was ineffective as a starter in 2023 and would be hard to trust from a fantasy perspective.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Cardinals. He allowed two hits and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

After a solid effort from starter Jameson Taillon across six innings, Smyly did his best to keep the Cubs in the game despite their lack of offense. The lefty has now logged five straight scoreless outings covering seven innings, and he's struck out seven during the hot steak. Smyly seems more suited for a relief role than a starting gig at this point in his career, as his fastball is up to 93.1 mph this season after sitting at 92 mph last year, when he made 23 starts, and he's been more effective with the added velocity.