Yankees' Dominic Smith: Returns to New York on minors deal
Rotowire
The Yankees re-signed Smith to a minor-league contract Monday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.
Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his previous minor-league contract with the Yankees earlier this month. After being unable to find a major-league job elsewhere, he's ultimately decided to take another minor-league pact from the Yankees and will provide veteran depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
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Dominic Smith: Cut loose by New York
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The Yankees released Smith on Monday.
Smith will head to the open market in search of a new opportunity after exercising the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Yankees shortly after being informed that he wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster. The 29-year-old first baseman logged 307 plate appearances in the majors last season between Boston and Cincinnati, producing a .233/.313/.378 slash line with six home runs and 34 RBI.
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Yankees' Dominic Smith: Opts out of MiLB deal
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Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
The Yankees now have 24 hours to either add Smith to their roster or release him. Smith has looked good this spring, posting an .857 OPS with three home runs this spring, but the Yankees have more of a need for right-handed bench bats than lefty ones, which could work against the 29-year-old.
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Yankees' Dominic Smith: Option at DH for New York
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned during an in-game interview on YES Network on Thursday that Smith is one of the lefty batters New York is considering using at DH during the regular season in the wake of the news that Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) is set to miss extended time.
Smith isn't on the Yankees' 40-man roster, so he's not a certainty to break camp with the big club. However, he's helped his case with a strong spring during which he's slashing .294/.294/.647 with two home runs and seven RBI through six games. Boone noted that Aaron Judge won't necessarily log the bulk of the work at DH in Stanton's stead, and Smith was one of the players -- along with Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra -- mentioned as a candidate to log at-bats at the position.
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Yankees' Dominic Smith: Belts second spring homer
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Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win over St. Louis.
Smith homered for a second consecutive contest, though those are his only two hits through eight exhibition at-bats. The veteran first baseman doesn't have a history of hitting for power -- his career high is 12 long balls in 586 plate appearances with Washington in 2023 -- so his spring power stroke shouldn't be read into too much. Smith signed with the Yankees on a minor-league deal in mid-January and isn't expected to break camp with the big club.
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Yankees' Dominic Smith: Agrees to MiLB deal with NYY
Rotowire
The Yankees signed Smith to a minor-league deal Monday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Smith opted to enter free agency after being DFA'd by the Reds in early September. He appeared in 93 major-league games between Boston and Cincinnati during the 2024 regular season and posted a .691 OPS with six home runs, 34 RBI and 33 runs across 307 plate appearances. Smith will likely begin the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes/-Barre but could be called up to the big club if Paul Goldschmidt or Ben Rice were to miss time.
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Dominic Smith: Chooses to become free agent
Rotowire
Smith elected free agency Thursday.
After the Reds outrighted Smith off their 40-man roster last week, the veteran first baseman declined an assignment to Triple-A Louisville and instead elected to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Over 307 plate appearances in the big leagues this season between Cincinnati and Boston, Smith slashed .233/.313/.378 with six home runs, 34 RBI and 33 runs.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Dropped from 40-man
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The Reds designated Smith for assignment Monday.
Smith went 5-for-26 with four runs scored and 11 strikeouts over nine games during his time as a Red. He still holds a .691 OPS on the season through 307 plate appearances and could contribute for another team down the stretch, though he would not be eligible to play in the postseason. Ty France will presumably take over as Cincinnati's primary first baseman.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Out of lineup again Monday
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Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
It's the second straight day he's been out of the starting nine, even as the opposition had a righty (in this case, Justin Verlander) on the bump. Ty France will be at first base Monday and Amed Rosario will occupy the designated-hitter slot.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Sitting against righty
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Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
After signing with the Reds on Aug. 22, Smith had started in each of the Reds' ensuing eight matchups against right-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat Sunday against Brewers righty Tobias Myers. Ty France will step in at first base in place of Smith, who has slashed .208/.296/.292 with a 37 percent strikeout rate thus far during his time in Cincinnati.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: On bench for nightcap
Rotowire
Smith isn't part of the Reds lineup for the second game of a doubleheader against the Brewers on Friday.
Smith drew the start at first base for the matinee and went 1-for-3. However, with lefty DL Hall on the mound for Milwaukee, it'll be Ty France holding down first base for the nightcap.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Makes fourth straight start
Rotowire
Smith started at first base and went 0-for-2 in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to Oakland.
Smith made his fourth consecutive start and fifth in six games since joining the Reds. All of those starts have come against right-handers, either at first base or designated hitter. A regular role is nice, but Smith is just 2-for-16 with eight strikeouts since signing with the team.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Idle against lefty
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Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.
Smith went 0-for-3 in his Reds debut Thursday, but he'll yield to the righty-hitting Ty France at first base against southpaw Bailey Falter and the Pirates. Smith slashed .237/317/390 in 278 plate appearances with the Red Sox before being released.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Makes team debut
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Smith started at first base and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 7-0 loss to the Pirates.
Smith, who was signed earlier in the day after being released by Boston on Tuesday, made his debut for the Reds. With Jeimer Candelario (toe) and Jake Fraley (knee) landing on the the 10-day injured list in recent days, the Reds could have regular spots in the lineup available for both Smith and Ty France against right-handed pitching at either first base and designated hitter.
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Reds' Dominic Smith: Agrees to MLB deal with Cincinnati
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The Reds agreed to a major-league contract with Smith on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The 29-year-old was recently cut loose by the Red Sox following the return of Triston Casas from injury, but he's managed to quickly land another major-league deal. Smith slashed just .237/.317/.390 in 83 games for Boston, although he has a respectable .747 OPS since the All-Star break. Smith could see some action at first base while Jeimer Candelario (toe) is out.
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Dominic Smith: Becomes free agent
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The Red Sox released Smith on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Smith passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment last week and is now free to sign on with a new club. The veteran first baseman slashed only .237/.317/.390 in 83 games for Boston and might have to settle for a minor-league contract with his next organization.
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Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Designated for assignment
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The Red Sox designated Smith for assignment Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Smith had a nice July, slashing .290/.355/.565 with three home runs. However, he's fallen off to a .235/.278/.324 line in August, and with Triston Casas (ribs) returning from the 60-day injured list, the veteran first baseman wasn't going to have much of a role. Smith seems likely to clear waivers but could latch on with another club for the stretch run.
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Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Taking seat Wednesday
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Smith is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Kansas City, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
With southpaw Cole Ragans on the bump for the Royals, the left-handed-hitting Smith will take a seat. Connor Wong will get a start at first base in place of Smith.
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Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Idle vs. lefty
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Smith is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Texas, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The lefty-hitting Smith will begin Saturday's game in the dugout after going 1-for-5 with an RBI double in Friday's 11-6 win over the Rangers. Connor Wong will start at first base and bat fifth against Texas southpaw Cody Bradford.
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Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Goes deep in win
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Smith went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 14-7 win over the Mariners.
Smith picked up two more extra-base hits to continue his recent hot stretch. Smith now has three homers in his last 16 games, the same amount he had in his first 54 games this season. Despite being relegated to a platoon role, Smith has had a solid first season with the Red Sox. The 29-year-old has six home runs, 32 RBI, and a .707 OPS through 70 games.
