Smyly (3-6) took the loss Saturday versus the Giants. He allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly got through the Giants' order once without giving up runs, but they got to him the second time around. In the fourth inning, he gave up back-to-back home runs to Luis Gonzalez and Joey Bart, and Smyly didn't come back out for the fifth. The southpaw has failed to complete five innings in three of his last four starts since returning from an oblique injury, though he threw 87 pitches (53 strikes) Saturday. He owns a 4.42 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:14 K:BB, which he'll carry into next week's projected home start versus the Marlins.

Smyly (3-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks while striking out four in six innings to earn the win over the Phillies on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly settled for no-decisions in his two starts after returning from the injured list, but he earned his first win in over two months while posting his first quality start of the season Sunday. The left-hander has had mixed results since returning to the mound, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 12.1 innings over his last three outings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against San Francisco on Saturday.

Smyly allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four in 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Mets in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly's previous start was cut short after two innings due to performance, which didn't allow him to stretch out much after a nearly six-week absence with an oblique injury. He was much better Saturday, allowing a run to score on a third-inning groundout and another on an Eduardo Escobar solo shot in the fourth. Smyly threw 57 of 83 pitches for strikes, so he's almost up to a full starter's workload and shouldn't face much of a restriction, if any, after the All-Star break. He has a 4.22 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB across 49 innings in 11 starts this season.

Smyly (oblique) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout in two-plus innings Sunday versus the Dodgers. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly was expected to see a slight workload restriction, but his removal Sunday was instead based on poor performance. He was spotted a five-run lead before he took the mound, but he gave up three runs in the first inning and put traffic on the bases again in the third before his exit. The 33-year-old southpaw missed over a month with the right oblique strain. He has a 4.43 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB through 44.2 innings in 10 starts this year. The Cubs could have as many as seven pitchers stretched out as starters for the upcoming week, so it's uncertain if Smyly will get another start before the All-Star break -- if he does, it'll likely be in a home game versus the Mets next weekend.

The Cubs reinstated Smyly (oblique) from the 15-day injured list prior to his scheduled start Sunday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Right-handed reliever Michael Rucker was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to clear room on the active roster for Smyly, who is slated to make his first start for the big club since May 30. Smyly said he expects to be limited to around 85 pitches Sunday after tossing four innings and 52 pitches in his lone minor-league rehab start Monday with High-A South Bend.

Cubs manager David Ross said Smyly (oblique) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago will end up welcoming two starters back from the injured list to close out the weekend series in Los Angeles, as Marcus Stroman (shoulder) was activated Saturday and worked four innings in the Cubs' 4-2 loss. Smyly will be making his first appearance for the Cubs since May 30 after he was on the shelf for the past five and a half weeks with a right oblique strain. The southpaw covered four innings and tossed 52 pitches in his lone minor-league rehab start back on Monday, so he expects to be capped at around 85 pitches in his return from the IL.

Smyly (oblique) is expected to be activated from the injured list either Saturday or Sunday to make a start against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly threw a bullpen session Thursday and apparently felt well coming off the activity. Though he made only one rehab start, Smyly told reporters he anticipates being able to throw roughly 85 pitches. Smyly is a candidate to replace Justin Steele -- who is awaiting the birth of his child -- on Saturday, or the team could opt to shift its rotation and start Smyly on Sunday.

Smyly (oblique) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly is following a similar plan to Marcus Stroman (shoulder) and the duo threw bullpen sessions in front of the Cubs' training and coaching staffs Thursday. Smyly has already made one rehab start with High-A South Bend, so the team could opt to activate him and limit his pitch count. Alternatively, he could be sent back to the minors to complete at least one additional outing prior to rejoining the big-league rotation. Clarification on Smyly's status should come in the next couple days.

Smyly (oblique) rejoined the Cubs on Wednesday and is expected to throw a bullpen session in the next day or two before the team decides whether to activate him from the 15-day injured list or send him to the minors for a second rehab start, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Both Smyly and fellow rehabbing starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (shoulder) were back with the big club after making rehab starts Monday and Sunday, respectively. In his outing with High-A South Bend, Smyly struck out six and covered four innings and tossed 52 pitches while allowing three earned runs on four hits. Unless the Cubs are comfortable having Smyly slot back into the rotation this weekend in Los Angeles on a limited pitch count, he'll most likely head back to South Bend or another affiliate for a second rehab start as he looks to get fully ramped up from the injury that has thus far sidelined him for five weeks.

Smyly (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at High-A South Bend or Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly progressed to facing live hitters Tuesday, and he threw a successful bullpen session Friday. The southpaw will may require multiple appearances in the minors prior to rejoining the Cubs, but his rehab assignment should be the final step in his recovery process.