Lesson learned: Padres slugger Tatis can crush fastballs
San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. smashed a grand slam on Tuesday, providing further proof that the young slugger could be ready for a big third seasonMARCH 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roughed up Tuesday Smith allowed six runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over two innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.
Impact Smith didn't have his best stuff and wasn't able to put batters away when he got to two strikes. The big blow was a second-inning grand slam by San Diego's Fernando Tatis. The defense around him was sloppy, and Arizona's offense was quiet for a third straight game. About the best thing to say is that it was spring training and means nothing at this point.
MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Twins newcomer Happ back on mound after positive virus test
Eager for a fresh start with a new team, JMARCH 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting Tuesday Smith will start Tuesday's spring game against the Padres, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact This will be the first chance this spring that Smith gets to try out the curveball he's been developing during the offseason. The left-hander dealt with COVID-19 last season but was able to get in four September appearances (three starts) for Arizona. He posted a 2.45 ERA with 12 strikeouts and six walks over 11 innings.
MARCH 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Developing curveball Smith worked on his curveball during the offseason, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Impact Because Smith feels his slider is too similar in speed to his fastball, the left-hander wants a slower breaking ball. It was a pitch he introduced last season, but a bout with COVID-19 last summer limited him to just 14 innings. He never got a chance to develop it fully, although he did throw it 20 times and did not give up a hit on it, per Statcast. "The curveball is coming along really well," Smith said. "I picked it up pretty quick, actually. I think it's right where I need it to be. I think it's going to help my repertoire a lot this season." Smith is expected to be part of the Diamondbacks' rotation in 2021.
FEBRUARY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Smith in full stride after healthy offseason A lot can change over the course of the next six weeks, but coming into Spring Training it appears that left-hander Caleb Smith is a good be...
FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • MLB.COM
D-backs avoid salary arbitration with Weaver, Kelly
The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to one-year contracts with right-hander Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly and left-hander Caleb Smith that avoided salary arbitrationJANUARY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Avoids arbitration with Arizona Smith and the Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $1.465 million contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
Impact A battle with COVID-19 limited Smith to just 14 innings last season on either side of a trade from the Marlins. His 2.57 ERA in those innings looks quite good, but it came with a poor 15:12 K:BB. The sample size is too small to significant alter Smith's reputation in either direction heading into 2021.
JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Diamondbacks offer contracts to Kelly, Weaver, Smith
The Arizona Diamondbacks offered contracts to three arbitration-eligible players on Wednesday, including catcher Carson Kelly and pitchers Luke Weaver and Caleb SmithDECEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Works four innings Smith allowed a hit and three walks over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Tuesday. He struck out two.
Impact Smith threw 44 of 78 pitches for strikes in his longest start of the year, but he wasn't eligible for the win. He's amassed a 3.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 12 innings between the Diamondbacks and the Marlins this year. The 29-year-old Smith could get one more start this season versus the Rockies on Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Kelly hits 3-run homer, Diamondbacks beat Rangers 7-0
Carson Kelly had a three-run homer, Caleb Smith and Riley Smith combined to throw a six-hitter and the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled to a 7-0 victory over the Texas RangersSEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers top NL seed; Braves claim East; Indians in playoffs
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lyles scheduled to start for Texas against Arizona
The Rangers will start Jordan Lyles on Tuesday and the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Caleb SmithSEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Springer hits inside-the-park HR, Astros top D-backs 3-2
George Springer homered twice, including an inside-the-park shot, to lead the Houston Astros over the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on SundaySEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Another short outing Wednesday Smith didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's contest between the Angels and the Diamondbacks. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while fanning four across two...
Impact Smith has made three starts this season and hasn't pitched more than three innings in any of those outings, so it's safe to consider him as an "opener" rather than a regular starter. As such, his upside going forward shouldn't be very high due to his inability to pitch deep into games.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Calhoun, Peralta power Diamondbacks past Angels again, 9-6
Kole Calhoun hit his third homer in two games against his former Angels teammates, and David Peralta homered and drove in two runs in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 9-6 victory over Los...SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bundy expected to start as Angels host the Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks will start Caleb Smith on Wednesday while the Angels are expected to counter with Dylan BundySEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
D-backs blow 7-run lead, but Peralta's HR beats Angels 9-8
The Arizona Diamondbacks blew a seven-run lead before rallying for a 9-8 victory over the Los Angeles AngelsSEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Smith makes Arizona debut, helps D-backs beat Mariners 4-3
Caleb Smith threw three solid innings in his first outing with Arizona, long reliever Alex Young worked into the ninth and the Diamondbacks beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Triumphant return for retooled Marlins, who beat Orioles 4-0
Back from an eight-day, coronavirus-induced hiatus, the Miami Marlins found enough power and pitching within their vastly overhauled roster to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 Tuesda...AUGUST 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miami Marlins resume season and win with 18 new players
Scrambling for replacements following a coronavirus outbreak, the Miami Marlins have added a Moran, a Morin, two pitchers named Josh Smith and a former Olympic medalist in speedska...AUGUST 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Placed on 10-day IL Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports.
Impact Smith was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Smith's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.
AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Status uncertain this week Manager Don Mattingly said Monday that Pablo Lopez and Elieser Hernandez are the only members of the rotation locked in for starts when the Marlins return to action this week, sugg...
Impact The Marlins are slated to return to action Tuesday in Baltimore following an eight-day layoff due to a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak that saw 18 players test positive for the coronavirus. Rotation members Sandy Alcantara and Jose Urena have already been confirmed to have tested positive, and Mattingly's omission of Smith from the team's pitching schedule to begin the week could indicate that the lefty's health may also be a question mark. Prior to Tuesday's game, Miami is slated to make a slew of roster moves to account for the players who won't be available due to positive COVID-19 tests, so Smith's inclusion on (or exclusion from) the injured list should ultimately shed more light on his status.
AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Rockies' Bard gets 1st big league win in more than 7 seasons
JULY 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wild in first start Smith did not factor in the decision Saturday versus Philadelphia. He gave up one run on one hit and six walks while striking out three over three innings.
Impact The results could have been much worse for Smith given his struggles to find the plate. He threw only 36 of 70 pitches for strikes and walked at least one batter in each of his three innings. Walks have been an issue for the 28-year-old throughout his career, so his control issues Saturday can't fully be chalked up to first-start jitters. Smith will look to have a stronger outing when he heads to Baltimore to take on the hapless Orioles on Thursday in his next scheduled start.
JULY 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
