DOMINIC SMITH NEWS

Returns to New York on minors deal The Yankees re-signed Smith to a minor-league contract Monday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Cut loose by New York The Yankees released Smith on Monday.

Impact 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.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Opts out of MiLB deal The Yankees released Smith on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league deal after being told he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster. He had seemed to have a good shot of making the team after posting an .857 OPS with three home runs this season, but it didn't happen and now he'll look to latch on in another organization.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees predicted to keep former Mets No. 2 prospect on Opening Day roster | Sporting News From one side of the Subway Series to the other for Dominic Smith.

MARCH 15 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Option at DH for New York 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 r...

Impact 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.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Belts second spring homer Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win over St. Louis.

Impact 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 New York on a minor-league deal in mid-January and isn't expected to break camp with the big club.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Agrees to MiLB deal with Yankees The Yankees Mark Feinsand of MLB.com Smith to a minor-league deal Monday, Mark reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Chooses to become free agent Smith elected free agency Thursday.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Clears waivers The Reds outrighted Smith to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Impact Smith was pushed off the 40-man roster Monday after he slashed .192/.276/.269 with four runs and no RBI during his 10 games with the Reds. The 29-year-old first baseman will remain in the organization for now, but it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually elected free agency in search of another minor-league deal.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reds DFA 1B Dominic Smith, add OF Blake Dunn The Cincinnati Reds designated first baseman Dominic Smith for assignment on Monday and recalled outfielder Blake Dunn from Triple-A Louisvi...

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Dropped from 40-man The Reds designated Smith for assignment Monday.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup again Monday Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Impact It's the second straight day he's been out of the lineup 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.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees activate Anthony Rizzo, keep Jasson Domínguez in Triple-A

The New York Yankees activated Anthony Rizzo from the injured list after the first baseman missed more than two months with a fractured right forearm and made three other moves on...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting against righty Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Impact After signing with the Reds on Aug. 22, Smith had started in each of the Reds' ensuing eight matchups with 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.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against righty Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Impact After signing with the Reds on Aug. 22, Smith had started in each of the Reds' ensuing eight matchups with 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.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for Game 2 Smith isn't part of the Reds lineup for Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Brewers on Friday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes fourth straight start Smith started at first base and went 0-for-2 in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to Oakland.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against lefty Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes Reds debut Smith started at first base and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 7-0 loss to the Pirates.

Impact Smith, who was signed earlier in the day, made his debut for the Reds. The organization added him after it placed Jake Fraley (knee) on the 10-day injured list. There could be at-bats available at first base with Jeimer Candelario nursing a toe injury. Spencer Steer, who's been the primary first baseman this season, moved to Fraley's spot in left field. The lefty-hitting Smith, who was with the Red Sox until Tuesday, could platoon at first with Steer or Ty France.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reds sign first baseman Dominic Smith, two days after he was released by the Red Sox

The Cincinnati Reds have signed veteran first baseman Dominic Smith before their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Report: Reds signing veteran 1B Dominic Smith The Cincinnati Reds are signing first baseman Dominic Smith to a major league contract, ESPN reported Thursday.Smith was released by the Bos...

AUGUST 22, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Agrees to MLB deal with Cincinnati The Reds have agreed to a major-league contract with Smith, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith 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. The 29-year-old slashed just .237/.317/.390 in 83 games for Boston, although he had collected a respectable .747 OPS since the All-Star break. Smith could see some action at first base while Jeimer Candelario (toe) is out.

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox release 1B Dominic Smith The Boston Red Sox on Tuesday released first baseman Dominic Smith, a former first-round draft pick who became expendable when first baseman...

AUGUST 20, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Becomes free agent The Red Sox released Smith on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox get power boost by activating Triston Casas from IL

The Boston Red Sox have activated Triston Casas off the 60-day injured list, a move they hope will add some punch to a lineup that’s been lacking a deep threat

AUGUST 17, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS