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Smyly Gets Opening Day Nod for 'Crabs

Rays lefty to make first rehab start
By Gregg Caserta
April 8, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (April 8, 2015) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs' seventh Opening Day in the Florida State League will get a bit of a boost on Thursday, April 9 at Charlotte Sports Park when Drew Smyly gets the start against the Fort Myers Miracle. The Rays will send down their 25-year-old lefthander to get his first taste of live game action since last September, when he was shut down for the remainder of 2014. After not appearing in a game in Spring Training, Smyly will finally make his debut and is expected to throw two to three innings against the defending FSL Champions. Fellow lefthander and reigning Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Year Blake Snell will follow out of the bullpen.

Many were skeptical when Smyly arrived in Tampa following a down-to-the-wire trade deadline deal that sent perennial ace David Price to the Tigers. The three-team, five-player swap also included shortstop Willy Adames, who starts the season in Port Charlotte ranked as the third best prospect in the organization. In seven starts with the Rays, Smyly was 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA, giving him the best winning percentage (.750) and ERA of the 16 pitchers traded before the July 2014 deadline. During that span, his .155 opponents average led all major league starters, and he established a new club record to start a Rays career by allowing three runs or fewer in all seven starts.

The first month of the season may very well feature a revolving door of rehab assignments for the Stone Crabs. In addition to Smyly, former Stone Crabs pitchers Alex Cobb, Alex Colome, Jake McGee, and Matt Moore will all be returning from the Rays disabled list and are expected to make cameos in Port Charlotte.

After missing the playoffs last season with a 63-70 record, the Stone Crabs will look to return to the postseason in search of their first league championship. A two-time South Division champion, the team's three postseason trips resulted in finals appearances in 2009, 2010, and 2013. Tickets for Thursday night's season opener at Charlotte Sports Park are still available, so visit www.stonecrabsbaseball.com or call 941-206-HITS (4487) to order your tickets now!