CHICAGO >> You think waiting three days to make his Major League debut after he got called up from Triple-A Toledo was a problem for Dylan Smith?

Try being a third-round draft pick and having to spend parts of three seasons in High-A and two in Double-A. Try missing nearly an entire season (2023) while so many of the guys you came through the system with were getting their call.

Three days, getting big-league per diem, being up with the boys, seeing your name on the back of a big-league uniform, working every day with the big-league pitching coaches, it’s going to be OK.

“I was just being patient,” Smith said Monday night after finally being summoned into a big-league game. “Just kind of waiting for my moment and not trying to think too much about it.”

It was harder for Smith’s family and friends, more than 20 of them, who rushed to Kansas City, then cancelled more plans, and rushed to Chicago. It was also probably harder on manager AJ Hinch, who understands the gravity of these moments and wanted to make it happen for Smith.

“I’ve got to get him into a game,” Hinch said before the game Monday. “Poor kid. But what are going to do. We had two 1-0 games in Kansas City. We didn’t have a chance to get him in there. But we will.”

And he did. Smith pitched the seventh and eighth innings against the White Sox in the Tigers’ 13-1 win. And the best part had to be sharing hugs with his mother on the field afterward. At least it looked like it by the smile on his face.

“It felt great,” said Smith, who hit a batter, walked a batter and gave up a hit but got two double-play balls to get out of his innings unscathed. “I was a little antsy at first but I felt like I really soaked in the moment pretty well.

“It was great that (his family) was there. There were excited and I was, too. I’m happy.”

On his third pitch of the outing, he plunked Joshua Palacios with a sweeper and was completely unfazed. Which is a good sign.

“I told myself not to overthink,” he shrugged. “It probably left a nice bruise, but it wasn’t intentional.”

With one out in the eighth, Smith walked Chase Meidroth and gave up a single to Michael A. Taylor. Catcher Dillon Dingler came to the mound and had a short, pointed chat with him.

“He just said, ‘Come on, dude, attack the zone,’” Smith said.

Done. He got Miguel Vargas to hit into a fast, inning-ending double-play.

“It’s the same game we play growing up as kids,” Smith said. “It doesn’t change. Just the hitters get better.”

Seems like he’s got a pretty good grasp on this, doesn’t it?

“It was good to see him on the mound,” Hinch said. “I’m sure he was nervous. The double-plays were really good for him. But it was just great to see him compete. He’s been dreaming of this since he got into pro ball.

“These are super special, man. They don’t get old no matter how many you’ve been around. You only get one first outing.”