Cubs move LHP Drew Smyly to the bullpen and will start rookie RHP Javier Assad on Friday in Toronto #Cubs #move #LHP #Drew #Smyly #bullpen #start #rookie #RHP #Javier #Assad #Friday #Toronto

NEW YORK (AP) — With every game critical in a close playoff race, the Chicago Cubs are moving struggling left-hander Drew Smyly to the bullpen.

Rookie right-hander Javier Assad will take Smyly’s spot in the rotation this weekend at Toronto, which features several right-handed sluggers in a lineup battering lefties lately.

Smyly is 8-8 with a 5.05 ERA in 23 games this season, including 21 starts. He is 0-4 in his last six starts since June 28, with his only win during that stretch coming in relief July 28 at St. Louis.

Smyly was tagged for seven runs and eight hits over five innings Monday night in an 11-2 loss to the New York Mets.

Assad is 1-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 18 relief appearances and two starts this year. He started Saturday at home against Atlanta and threw 83 pitches over 3 2/3 innings while allowing two runs and five hits.

Before that, Assad threw 62 pitches in relief July 31 against Cincinnati, so he’s pretty well stretched out. He will pitch Friday night against the Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game series.

After completing a stretch of 16 games in 16 days Wednesday night against the Mets, the Cubs have three of the next eight days off, giving them an opportunity to adjust their rotation.

They also hope All-Star starter Marcus Stroman (right hip inflammation) will return from the injured list when he becomes eligible Aug. 16.

Chicago began the day 1 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central and just ahead of Cincinnati in a crowded wild-card race for the league’s final playoff spot.