NL CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs might get some additional pitching help for the stretch run.
Left-hander Drew Smyly made his first rehab appearance Aug. 30 for low Class A South Bend (Indiana). He struck out all three batters he faced on 13 pitches in his first game action since last year’s World Baseball Classic.
Smyly missed all last year and the first five months of this season while recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, performed while he was a member of the Seattle Mariners.
“I felt very good, pain-free, which is always my first concern,” Smyly said. “It’s been 18 months since I’ve actually played in a game, out there competing. It was an exciting time for me, regardless of the level.”
The Cubs hope Smyly will be able to pitch in relief by midSeptember. He was signed to a two-year, $10 million contract as a free agent in the offseason.
❚ Kris Bryant, who had been out since July 24 because of a sore left shoulder, was activated from the disabled list Sept. 1 and had three hits in his first two games back. “It completely changes the lineup,” right-hander Kyle Hendricks said.
Cincinnati Reds
Homer Bailey is having a dreadful season, but interim manager Jim Riggleman believes it is not as bad as it seems.
Bailey is 1-13 with a 6.13 ERA in 19 starts, and the Reds are 1-18 when the right-hander pitches. He gave up seven runs, three earned, and nine hits in five innings in an Aug. 31 loss at St. Louis.
“He’s getting closer and closer to being what he can be,” Riggleman said. “But as he goes through it, he’s not getting away with anything. Hitters are all over his stuff.”
Bailey has a $21 million salary this season and will make $23 million in 2019 in the final guaranteed year of a six-year, $105 million contract. He is the second-highest-paid Reds player behind 1B Joey Votto, whose salary is $25 million.
Bailey threw no-hitters for the Reds in 2012 and 2013.
❚ Votto was activated from the disabled list and went 3for-14 in his first four games. He was injured Aug. 4 when he was hit by a pitch on the right knee, but he didn’t go on the DL until Aug. 17 after he unsuccessfully tried to play despite the bruise.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers attempted to bolster their hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2011 by acquiring three veteran players in trades for minor leaguers Aug. 31.
Washington Nationals lefthander Gio Gonzalez was the headliner of the trio. Though he has been a starter throughout his 11-year career, manager Craig Counsell would not rule out using Gonzalez out of the bullpen.
“Look, we’re at the stage where we’re just getting outs, and we’re gonna try to get 27 outs a game,” Counsell said.
The Brewers also got lefthanded reliever Xavier Cedeno from the Chicago White Sox and outfielder Curtis Granderson from the Toronto Blue Jays. Cedeno will pitch in middle relief, and Granderson will be used in a reserve role.
“We’re just trying to fortify the roster as best we can and give ourselves options and depth for whatever happens in (September),” Counsell said.
❚ Right fielder Christian Yelich tied a team record for hits and became the eighth player in Brewers history to hit for the cycle when he went 6-for-6 in a 10inning victory Aug. 29 at Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates created playing time for young infielders by trading third baseman David Freese to the Los Angeles Dodgers and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to the New York Yankees and releasing infielderoutfielder Sean Rodriguez.
Colin Moran, who had been platooning with Freese, likely will be the everyday third baseman. Middle infielders Kevin Newman and Pablo Reyes also figure to benefit from the moves.
Freese spent three seasons with the Pirates, and general manager Neal Huntington said trading him was a “difficult decision.” Freese hit .282 with nine home runs in 94 games this year.
❚ Right-handed reliever Nick Burdi was activated from the 60-day disabled list Sept. 1 after recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. The Pirates selected him from the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 draft last December.
St. Louis Cardinals
Not only did the Cardinals remove the interim tag from manager Mike Shildt’s title, he also was given a two-year contract extension through 2020.
The Cardinals were 47-46 when they fired Mike Matheny and promoted Shildt from bench coach July 15. In Shildt’s first 43 games at the helm, the Cardinals went 29-14 to improve to 76-60 and gain the lead in the NL wild-card standings.
“As we stated from day one, we would use this time to really see how he handled the job,” president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “We just felt like we could not do better. Mike has shown he can do the job. Mike checks a lot of boxes along the way.
“It made sense to do it now. Everything is going well, and more importantly momentum is building behind our players.”
❚ Right-hander Adam Wainwright showed he might be a contributor in the pennant race by not allowing a run in any of his six minor league rehab outings through Sept. 1. He has been out since May 14 because of a sore elbow.
“Get ahead and stay ahead. Try not to get into deep counts and try to stay away from a 3-2 count.”
Jack Flaherty Cardinals rookie right-hander, on his key to success