Mariners: Drew Smyly Out 6 to 8 Weeks

The Mariners will be without newly acquired pitcher Drew Smyly for eight weeks With a mid-draft ADP, this injury affects a lot of fantasy owners.

The Seattle Mariners made a couple of moves on one January day that ended with them acquiring Drew Smyly. The Mariners already had a solid lineup with their dangerous offense, but the addition of Smyly strengthened the rotation. Unfortunately, he won’t be making any starts for the first two months. As my No. 38 pitcher, this has a big effect for fantasy.

Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune tweeted that Smyly has a flexor strain in his left arm and the recovery time is about six to eight weeks. He also said that surgery likely isn’t required, which helps shorten the time away from the mound.

Nothing is confirmed, though. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweeted that Smyly will get a second and third opinion from different doctors. Yet, he also agrees that surgery isn’t going to happen. This is a tough break for the Mariners and the fantasy owners who drafted him.

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Smyly had a good season in his first full year with the Tampa Bay Rays. He posted a 3.11 ERA and 1.170 WHIP in 12 starts. Last season, however, was not his best season.

In 30 starts, he finished with a 4.88 ERA, 1.272 WHIP and 7-12 record. The bright side is that he had good ball control, posting an 8.6 K.9 and 2.5 BB/9.

Owners drafted Smyly in the 15th round in most ESPN leagues as a No. 4 starting pitcher and an important part of the rotation this season. Now, you’ll have to stash him on the DL if you can afford it. Luckily, there are plenty of replacements available in the meantime.

The Mariners will slot Ariel Miranda in Smyly’s spot but he isn’t someone worth picking up in standard leagues. If you need a new starting pitcher, Zack Wheeler and Robert Gsellman, the Mets fourth and fifth starters, are easy to pick up. Joe Musgrove won a spot in the Astros’ rotation and pitched well this spring.

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There are already a lot of pitchers on the DL, some with season-ending injuries. While Smyly will be back, this injury is significant. Smyly should be back in June and ready to go. Let’s just hope he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in the process.