Drew Smyly, a left-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the Detroit Tigers. Drafted in the second round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Smyly quickly ascended through the minor leagues, making his MLB debut on April 12, 2012. During his rookie season, he demonstrated potential as both a starter and a reliever, finishing the year with a 4-3 record and a 3.99 ERA over 23 games, including 18 starts.
In 2013, Smyly transitioned to a full-time role in the bullpen, where he excelled as a long reliever. He appeared in 63 games, posting a 6-0 record with a 2.37 ERA, which helped the Tigers secure a postseason berth. His performance in the bullpen was a valuable asset to the team, providing stability and depth.
The 2014 season saw Smyly return to the starting rotation. However, his time with the Tigers was cut short when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team deal that included the Seattle Mariners. With the Rays, Smyly continued to develop as a starter, finishing the season with a combined 9-10 record and a 3.24 ERA across 25 starts.
Smyly's tenure with the Rays was marred by injuries, limiting his playing time in the subsequent seasons. In 2015, he was sidelined for a significant portion of the year due to a torn labrum in his shoulder, making only 12 starts. Despite these setbacks, he returned in 2016 to make 30 starts, recording a 7-12 record with a 4.88 ERA.
In 2017, Smyly was traded to the Seattle Mariners, but he did not pitch for them due to undergoing Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for the entire season. The Chicago Cubs signed him in 2018, but he spent the year recovering from surgery and did not appear in any games.
Smyly returned to the mound in 2019 with the Texas Rangers, where he struggled to regain his form, posting an 8.42 ERA over 13 starts before being released. He then signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he showed signs of improvement, finishing the season with a 4.45 ERA in 12 starts.
In 2020, Smyly joined the San Francisco Giants on a one-year deal. Despite the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he delivered a solid performance, recording a 3.42 ERA over 26.1 innings, primarily in a starting role.
The Atlanta Braves signed Smyly for the 2021 season, where he played a role in their pitching rotation. He made 23 starts and finished the regular season with an 11-4 record and a 4.48 ERA. Smyly contributed to the Braves' successful postseason run, culminating in a World Series victory, although his appearances were limited to relief outings.
Throughout his career, Drew Smyly faced numerous challenges, including injuries that impacted his playing time and performance.
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