4/22/15, 3:45 PM Update: Per a tweet from Marc Topkin, Drew Smyly will start Friday for the Rays.
4/22/15, 8:30 AM Update: LHP Drew Smyly is set to come off the disabled list and start in the series opener against the Blue Jays.
While the Rays initially held off on making Smyly’s return official, Smyly — who has been sidelined since early March with shoulder tendinitis — said he was “definitely” ready to rejoin the Rays: “Without a doubt.” Matt Andriese was to pitch Friday, so the Rays could do one of three things:
- keep him available in case Smyly gets knocked out early.
- Bump his start to Saturday (which might be the most likely scenario).
- Send him down to Triple-A Durham to make room on the roster.
According to the soothsayers at ESPN, Drew Smyly is getting the start in Friday’s series opener against Toronto. While it’s a good assumption, seeing as Smyly would get the start on normal/five days rest, what ESPN lacks is the foreknowledge of whether he’ll be reactivated from the disabled list.
While there is a possibility that Smyly could start for the Rays on Friday, per Marc Topkin, that will be predicated on his need for a fourth rehab start.
@espn has Drew Smyly listed as the starter in Friday’s series opener against Toronto. Am I missing something @TBTimes_Rays or @RMooneyTBO?
— X-Rays Spex (@XRaysSpex) April 21, 2015
Nothing official. It’s possible, as we’ve said, if they decide he doesn’t need 4th rehab start. May know today. https://t.co/My3cLyjyiO
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 21, 2015
Actually would make sense as it’s his scheduled 5th day, could push Andriese back a day https://t.co/40LGuueR1E — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 21, 2015
@XRaysSpex possible but Rays haven’t nnounced anything. expected to this afternoon — RMooneyTBO (@RMooneyTBO) April 21, 2015
@XRaysSpex is say an educated guess. They’ve been wrong in the past
— RMooneyTBO (@RMooneyTBO) April 21, 2015
Smyly has been on the DL with left shoulder tendinitis since the beginning of March. Drew made his third rehab start Sunday afternoon with the Montgomery Biscuits. Smyly pitched two outs into the fourth inning and allowed one hit and three walks while fanning four on 68 pitches (40 strikes, 59% K/BB). Averaging 90.1 mph with his fastball in 2014, Smyly topped out at 92 mph on the stadium radar.