6:38PM Tuesday
March 5, 2013

Drew Smyly thought back to last year and tried to pick one moment that stood out as the highlight.

It wasn't easy.

The Detroit left-hander won a job in the rotation in spring training, made his major league debut, started 18 games, came out of the bullpen in a huge playoff victory at Yankee Stadium - and finished the season pitching in the World Series.

''A lot to choose from - hard to say. Obviously playoffs, that was something I never really expected or thought much about,'' Smyly said. ''Pitching in the World Series was breathtaking almost.''

Smyly doesn't turn 24 until June, but already he's experienced a lot at the big league level. A somewhat surprising choice to be the No. 5 starter last year, he showed poise from the beginning, and when a midseason trade bumped him out of the rotation, Smyly kept contributing in relief.

His role isn't clear this season either - he's competing with Rick Porcello for the last rotation spot - but not much seems to