Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith signed a major-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, according to sources. Smith was released by the Boston Red Sox recently after serving as their primary first baseman since May because of a rib-cage injury to Triston Casas. Smith's deal with the Reds is pending a physical. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter hit .237/.317/.390 with a .706 OPS, six home runs, 34 RBI and 29 runs scored in his 249 at-bats with Boston before being released this year. Smith has been a bit better since the All-Star break, though, and he could see some playing time in Cincy at first base against right-handed pitching now that Jeimer Candelario (toe) is on the injured list. The former 11th overall pick by the New York Mets in 2013 is a career .247/.314/.405 hitter in eight major-league seasons with a .719 OPS. UPDATE: Smith is making his Reds debut on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and rookie right-hander Paul Skenes, starting at first base and batting seventh at PNC Park.
The Boston Red Sox released first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith on Tuesday, and he's now free to sign with another club. Boston designated Smith for assignment last week and he's now on the open market after going unclaimed on waivers. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter saw action in 83 games for the Red Sox this year and hit .237/.317/.390 with a .706 OPS, six home runs, 34 RBI and 29 runs scored in 278 trips to the plate. The former 11th overall pick by the New York Mets in 2013 hasn't lived up to his draft stock in eight seasons to this point, posting a .247/.314/.405 slash line with a .719 OPS, 64 homers and 259 RBI in 683 games played. Smith is likely going to have to settle for a minor-league contract elsewhere and could be fighting an uphill battle to make it back to the big leagues before the end of the 2024 season.
The Boston Red Sox designated first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith for assignment on Friday and activated first baseman Triston Casas (rib cage) from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move, according to sources. Smith gets the boot from the Red Sox's roster with Casas making his return for the first time since tearing cartilage in his rib cage in late April. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter had a solid month of July but overall hit .237/.317/.390 with a .706 OPS, six home runs, 20 doubles, 34 RBI and 29 runs scored in 83 total games for the Red Sox. Now that Casas is healthy, he'll return to being Boston's everyday first baseman. Smith could very well clear waivers and accept an assignment to the minors to stick in the organization.
The Boston Red Sox are expected to sign first baseman Dominic Smith after the Tampa Bay Rays released him from his minor-league contract on Wednesday. The Red Sox are short-handed at first base with injuries to Triston Casas (rib) and the recently signed Garrett Cooper (wrist), so they will take a flier on the 28-year-old, who can also play the outfield. Cooper is expected to be fine, though, and the Red Sox also have Bobby Dalbec capable of manning the cold corner, so Smith will probably just be a left-handed bench option at first base. Smith hit .254/.326/.366 with 12 home runs in 153 games with the Washington Nationals in 2023 and had gone 21-for-80 (.263) with two homers and 11 RBI at Triple-A Durham this year before being granted his release.
Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith (wrist) had surgery on Jan. 20 to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist and is still working his way back from the injury this spring as he competes for one of the team's final bench spots. He was taking live batting practice on Jan. 5 when he felt something in his right wrist. Smith isn't 100 percent yet, but he's feeling good enough to play and has looked good in 14 Cactus League at-bats. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter said he's been dealing with some form of wrist or hand pain since he debuted in the big leagues almost seven years ago. Once a consensus top-100 prospect with the Mets, Smith has struggled with his power, but perhaps finally fixing his hand/wrist issue will help him be more consistent and productive as a bench bat for the Cubbies in 2024.
Free-agent first baseman Dominic Smith (hand) and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a minor-league deal on Monday, according to a source familiar with the deal. The contract includes incentives and can max out at $3.5 million. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter had hamate-bone surgery in early January but should be full-go by the end of spring training. The Cubs added both Smith and veteran outfielder David Peralta on Monday. Smith is going to be a bench bat for the Cubs if he sticks around with the organization through the 2024 season, giving the team depth at first base mainly along with Michael Busch, Matt Mervis and Patrick Wisdom. After six years with the Mets, Smith hit .254/.326/.366 with a career-high 12 home runs, 46 RBI and 57 runs scored in 153 games for the Nationals in 2023. You can avoid him in mixed fantasy leagues.
The Washington Nationals designated first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith and right-hander Cory Abbott for assignment on Tuesday. In additional moves, they also selected the contracts of Zach Brzykcy, Cole Henry, DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker. Smith will now hit the open market as he heads into his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2024. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter hit .254/.326/.366 with a career-high 12 home runs, 21 doubles, one triple, 46 RBI and 57 runs scored in 586 trips to the plate and 153 games in his first and only season with the Nationals in 2023. Smith had a decent year for the rebuilding Nats this past season, but he's unlikely to find regular playing time with a new team in free agency this winter.
Washington Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The left-handed slugger will sit this one out against left-hander Alex Wood. The Nationals will play matchups and have right-handed Michael Chavis cover first base and bat seventh on Friday. Also, Stone Garrett will play left field and bat sixth with Corey Dickerson sitting this game out. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.
Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith (quadriceps) said he's fine after being hit by a pitch on the outside of his right quad just above his knee in a Grapefruit League game on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Smith said he would have fought to stay in the game if it was in the regular season. The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now, but he could be back in a spring training game as soon as Wednesday. Smith hit just .194/.276/.284 with a career-low .560 OPS, no home runs, 17 RBI and 11 runs scored in his final season with the New York Mets in 2022 in 58 games played. He had some bad luck, though, and a rebound could be coming in a regular role at first base in 2023 with Washington.
Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals, per a tweet from USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Tuesday. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports the deal is worth $2 million guaranteed and can reach up to $4 million with incentives. The 27-year-old previously appeared in 58 games for the New York Mets last season, hitting .194 with a .276 on-base percentage in 152 plate appearances. He hit .284 with a .367 on-base percentage, 10 home runs and four stolen bases in 248 plate appearances for New York's Triple-A affiliate last season. As of now, Washington's current options at first base include Joey Meneses and Jeimer Candelario.
Dominic Smith
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