Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Riley Smith was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list on Thursday and the team optioned him to Triple-A Reno. Smith was forced to go onto the COVID-19 injured list last week due to contact tracing. He didn't test positive for COVID-19. Smith has made 24 appearances, including six starts, for the Diamondbacks this year. He's struggled over those appearances, pitching to a 6.01 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He'll have a good chance to return to the majors this year if he pitches well at Triple-A.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Riley Smith was placed on the COVID-19 injured list on Friday. Smith hasn't tested positive for the virus, at least not yet, but he was exposed to teammates who did. The 26-year-old likely won't be missed by many fantasy managers, primarily since he currently owns a 1-4 record along with a 6.01 ERA throughout six starts this season. With the D'Backs missing a handful of players from its pitching staff, the team will likely play things by ear moving forward.
The Arizona Diamondbacks called up catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho and pitcher Riley Smith from the alternate training site on Wednesday after the team placed outfielder Kole Calhoun (hamstring) and pitcher Taylor Widener (groin) on the 10-day injured list. Varsho, who is primarily a catcher, could see more time in the outfield with Calhoun sidelined with an injury. The 24-year-old hit just .188/.287/.366 with three home runs, nine RBI and three stolen bases in 37 games in his major league debut in 2020, but he could be intriguing for fantasy purposes in two-catcher leagues because of his outfielder and catching eligibility. Smith allowed three runs on six hits over four innings to take the loss against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The 26-year-old right-hander should get another start for the Snakes, but he's not of much interest to fantasy managers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have announced that Riley Smith will start Saturday's home game against the Cincinnati Reds. He is taking Caleb Smith's spot in the rotation as Caleb Smith has been moved to the bullpen. Riley Smith made his 2021 season debut last Saturday, working in relief of Caleb Smith. Riley pitched five innings in the game and allowed five hits, three walks and three runs (two earned) while striking out four. Over two MLB seasons, Riley Smith has pitched a total of 23.1 innings and posted a 1.93 ERA and 1.20 WHIP while averaging 8.5 K/9. No need to add Riley Smith in fantasy leagues at this point, but he's worth keeping an eye on for deep league and NL-only league managers.
Riley Smith
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Diamondbacks
