Cubs place LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Kyle Hendricks on IL

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd April, 18:32 2024

Apr 16, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly (11) throws in the tenth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. credits: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Kyle Hendricks and left-hander Drew Smyly on the 15-day injured list Tuesday as the club made several roster moves.

Hendricks has a lower back strain, while Smyly has a right hip impingement, with his roster move retroactive to Monday.

The Cubs also recalled right-hander Hayden Wesneski and left-hander Luke Little from Triple-A Iowa to restock the pitching staff, while infielder Garrett Cooper was designated for assignment and first baseman Matt Mervis was recalled.

Hendricks, 34, was off to a rough start, going 0-3 with a 12.00 ERA, seven walks and 16 strikeouts in 21 innings over five starts. He allowed major league-highs of 37 hits, 28 earned runs and eight home runs.

Hendricks has spent his entire 11-year MLB career with the Cubs and is 93-72 with a 3.60 ERA and 1,188 strikeouts in 1,470 2/3 innings over 252 appearances (251 starts).

Smyly, 34, made nine relief appearances, going 2-2 with a 4.97 ERA, five walks and 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.

The former starting pitcher has 11 years in the major leagues for the Detroit Tigers (2012-14), Tampa Bay Rays (2014-16), Texas Rangers (2019), Philadelphia Phillies (2019), San Francisco Giants (2020), Atlanta Braves (2021) and Cubs since 2022.

Smyly is 66-60 with a 4.23 ERA in 289 appearances (179 starts), including three saves and 1,074 strikeouts in 1,098 2/3 innings.

Cooper, 33, signed with the Cubs as a minor league free agent on April 2, made the Opening Day roster and batted .270 with one homer and six RBIs in 12 games. He has played for the New York Yankees (2017), Miami Marlins (2018-23) and San Diego Padres (2023).

Mervis, who turned 26 on April 16, broke into the majors with the Cubs in 2023, when he batted .167 in 27 games. He entered this season as the club's No. 15 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Little, 23, is 0-0 with a 2.35 ERA in 7 2/3 innings over eight games (one start) this season. Wesneski, 26, earned the win and did not allow a run in a four-inning relief appearance April 17 against Arizona.

—Field Level Media