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.

Smyly (oblique) will pitch another bullpen session Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly has been sidelined since the beginning of June, but he's ramped up his activity recently. He will likely have a multiple outing rehab assignment in the coming weeks, putting his potential return to the team right around the All-Star break.

Smyly (oblique) threw 32 pitches in Tuesday's live batting practice session, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has advanced past standard bullpen sessions, and it would seem that he will either have another live batting practice session or head out on a rehab assignment. Smyly has been sidelined all month with a right oblique strain.

Smyly (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's the second side session of the week for Smyly, whose strained right oblique apparently responded well to Tuesday's throwing workout. If all goes well Friday, Smyly could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice early next week.

Smyly (oblique) said he felt good after completing a bullpen session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs will likely have Smyly throw at least one more side session before having him face hitters in live batting practice or a simulated game. Smyly has been on the 15-day injured list since June 1 with a right oblique strain and will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Smyly (oblique) has resumed playing catch, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly sustained a right oblique strain in late May and is expected to spend about a month on the injured list. It's encouraging that the southpaw has been cleared to resume throwing, but he'll need to pitch off a mound and ramp up his intensity before he's in the mix to rejoin the major-league club.

Smyly (oblique) said Thursday that he doesn't have a timetable for his return but could miss about a month, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly landed on the 15-day injured list due to a right oblique strain Wednesday, and he appears to be in line for more than a minimal IL stint. However, the southpaw said that his recovery timetable will depend on how he feels as he builds up his workload. Smyly will rest and receive treatment during his first few days on the injured list before he resumes throwing, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smyly was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain Wednesday, retroactive to May 31.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly exited Monday's nightcap against the Brewers due to a right oblique issue, and he'll land on the injured list after being diagnosed with a strain. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, and the Cubs haven't announced who will take his place in the rotation.

Smyly was removed from his start in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Milwaukee due to right oblique soreness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

This certainly wasn't the news the Cubs were looking for, as oblique injuries often result in trips to the injured list, especially for pitchers. The club will likely re-evaluate Smyly in the coming days to determine whether he'll require a trip to the IL.