The Atlanta Braves have acquired catcher Kevan Smith in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. The team also went on to designate catcher Jeff Mathis for assignment. The 32-year-old Smith has appeared in just three games this year, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Last year, he slashed .258/.378/.452 over 17 games. Mathis had been serving as the team's backup to William Contreras. That role will likely fall to Smith for now. The team's primary catcher Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) is still out for over a month. Alex Jackson (hamstring), who entered the year as the team's No. 2 catcher, is also on the injured list, but could be back soon.
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Kevan Smith (illness) was placed on the Covid-19 injured list on Saturday. Smith had minor symptoms and tested negative but needs another negative test to be able to play. Fortunately for Smith and the Rays, he hasn't had a positive test yet, so it may not be that long of an absence. The 32-year-old has appeared in three games this year but has little fantasy value with only one plate appearance so far. In a corresponding move, infielder Daniel Robertson was recalled and is active for Saturday's game against Baltimore.
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team is expected to carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster. The Rays selected the contract of catcher Kevan Smith and added him to the 40-man roster on Tuesday, so the team will carry Mike Zunino, Michael Perez and Smith on the roster. Chris Herrmann asked for his release on Saturday. Smith and Perez impressed in summer camp over the last couple of weeks, and Smith was also out of minor league options. Top catching prospect Ronaldo Hernandez is the fourth catcher in the 60-player pool. Perez will likely split most of the time behind the plate with Zunino due to his experience with the pitching staff and because he gives the team another left-handed-hitting option. Smith could serve as the designated hitter against a left-handed pitcher, as he has a career .304 average against southpaws.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Kevan Smith (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday. Smith suffered back spasms during Saturday's game, so he'll be sidelined for a bit. Anthony Bemboom has been recalled to take his spot on the active roster. Max Stassi will do the catching and bat eighth versus righty Andrew Cashner on Sunday. They will likely split the catching duties, so neither player will have increased fantasy value.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Kevan Smith (concussion) will be activated from the injured list on Friday, according to Brad Ausmus. Dustin Garneau will likely be sent back to the minors to make room for Smith. The 30-year-old is hitting a decent .290/.397/.435 but only has one home run and five RBI in 62 at-bats as the backup to Jonathan Lucroy. Unless Lucroy misses time with an injury, Smith won't have much fantasy appeal.
After going through a full workout on Saturday, Los Angeles Angels catcherKevan Smith(concussion) appears to be set to return from the seven-day injured list when first eligible on Wednesday. Smith was placed on the injured list after suffering a concussion last Wednesday but has experienced no concussion-like symptoms in the past few days. Dustin Garneau was called up to replace him as the Angels backup to Jonathan Lucroy, but Garneau will likely be sent back down upon Smith's return. It's been a solid season for Smith, as he's slashed .290/.397/.435, but he's still a clear backup to Lucroy and should be left on waivers as long as Lucroy is healthy and productive.
The Los Angeles Angels placed catcher Kevan Smith (head) on the seven-day concussion injured list on Wednesday and called up catcher Dustin Garneau from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. Garneau will serve as the backup to Jonathan Lucroy for the time being. He's hit just .194/.269/.321 with five home runs and 24 RBI in his 252 career at-bats at the major league level and can be ignored everywhere. Smith suffered the injury on a foul tip off his mask on Tuesday night.
Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Angels catcher Kevan Smith (head) is in the concussion protocol after leaving the game early on Tuesday with a foul tip to his mask, according to manager Brad Ausmus. There's a chance he'll need to go on the seven-day concussion injured list as a result. The 30-year-old is hitting a nice .290 on the season, but he has only 73 plate appearances and one homer in a backup role to Jonathan Lucroy. Smith has very little fantasy appeal.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Kevan Smith (head) left the game early in the bottom of the fourth inning on Tuesday after taking a foul tip off his mask. Smith, the backup to Jonathan Lucroy in Anaheim, was hitless in his two plate appearances before leaving the game. The 30-year-old has been good in limited time in 2019, though, batting .290 with a homer and five RBI in 73 plate appearances. He'll likely be checked for a concussion.
The Los Angeles Angels have claimed former White Sox catcher Kevan Smith off waivers and added him to their 40-man roster. In order to make room, the team has designated catcher Joe Hudson for assignment. The Angels had a flurry of different catchers in the second half last season after trading Martin Maldonado. Smith hit .292 with three home runs in 52 games, and doesn't represent a strong fantasy option.