The Chicago Cubs have shut down Drew Smyly for the rest of the season.

Smyly is still recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in June 2017.

He was throwing simulated games against Cubs hitters in July and hoped to go on a rehab assignment in the minors by Aug. 1.

"We felt it was more important to end his season to get him the right amount of rest moving forward, so we took it out of his hands," Theo Epstein said. "He felt strongly about wanting to push through and contribute."

Smyly was signed to a two-year, $10 million deal in the offseason with the expectation that he would be fully recovered in 2019.