New Phillies P Drew Smyly to start Sunday

The Philadelphia Phillies are wasting no time getting the recently signed Drew Smyly on the bump.

Pending a physical, Philadelphia announced on Friday that Smyly will start Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Smyly will start Sunday for the Phillies. This is based on him completing and passing his physical. Pivetta to the bullpen beginning tonight. Velasquez starts Wednesday vs. Tigers.

— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 19, 2019

The Phillies just signed Smyly earlier on Friday. Starting him this soon and without a couple outings in the minors is rather interesting.

Smyly, 30, struggled big time with the Texas Rangers earlier this season before being cut loose. He pitched to a 1-5 record with a 8.42 ERA and 1.91 WHIP in 13 games (nine starts).

The veteran’s best season came back in 2013 with the Detroit Tigers when he posted a 6-0 record with a 2.37 ERA and 1.04 WHIP as a full-time reliever.

Smyly last pitched back on June 18.