C d'Arnaud extends contract, returning to Braves in 2022
The Atlanta Braves have agreed to an $8 million contract extension with catcher Travis d’Arnaud that ensures his return in 2023AUGUST 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Braves catcher Travis D'Arnaud returns from injured list
The Atlanta Braves have returned catcher Travis d’Arnaud from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the injured listAUGUST 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Designated for assignment Smith was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Wednesday.
Impact The 33-year-old had sporadic playing time recently, and he'll be cast off the 40-man roster after Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Wednesday. Smith has appeared in 33 games with Tampa Bay and Atlanta this season, and he's hit .168 with three doubles, eight runs and three RBI.
AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Adames' bat, Anderson's arm lift Brewers past Braves 2-1
Willy Adames hit an early homer off Charlie Morton, Brett Anderson pitched 5 2/3 strong innings, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on SundayAUGUST 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Heads to bench Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Impact With starts behind the dish in four of Atlanta's last five games, Smith appeared to move atop the depth chart at catcher, but he's expected to work in a timeshare moving forward after the team acquired Stephen Vogt from the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Vogt and Smith will fill in at catcher until Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list, perhaps around mid-August.
JULY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pederson hits 2-run HR as Fried, Braves shut out Rays 9-0
Joc Pederson hit a two-run homer in his first start with Atlanta, Max Fried had a two-run double among three hits while throwing seven dominant innings, and the Braves shut out the...JULY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Braves swing another deal, get catcher Vogt from Arizona
The Atlanta Braves have acquired veteran catcher Stephen Vogt from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league first baseman Mason BerneJULY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Meadows' RBI single in 10th lifts Tampa Bay past Braves 7-6
Austin Meadows’ 10th-inning single drove in Brett Phillips from second base with the tiebreaking run and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6JULY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marlins' López Ks MLB-mark 9 in a row at start, tops Braves
Marlins right-hander Pablo López set a major league record by striking out the first nine batters to start a game, pitching Miami past the Atlanta Braves 7-4JULY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Marlins' López sets MLB mark with 9 strikeouts to open game
Miami Marlins right-hander Pablo López has set a major league record by striking out the first nine batters to start the game against the Atlanta BravesJULY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gets breather Saturday Smith is not in the lineup for Saturday's against the Marlins.
Impact The 33-year-old went hitless in four at-bats Friday and is now 5-for-29 with four walks and one RBI in his last 10 games. Jonathan Lucroy will get the start at catcher Saturday.
JULY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not in Wednesday's lineup Smith isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
Impact Smith could serve as the primary catcher going forward after William Contreras was sent down Wednesday, but he'll get a breather after he went 1-for-3 with a strikeout Tuesday. Jonathan Lucroy will start behind the dish and bat eighth.
JULY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fried's pinch-hit single lifts Braves past Marlins 8-7 in 10
Pinch-hitting pitcher Max Fried lined a bases-loaded single up the middle in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied for a wild 8-7 victory over the Miami MarlinsJULY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scores twice in rout Smith went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs and an RBI in Atlanta's 20-2 win over the Mets on Wednesday.
Impact Making a rare start at catcher in place of a resting Willson Contreras, Smith did his part at the dish during Atlanta's 20-hit barrage. Smith has a good reputation as a defender, but his middling .209/.306/.233 slash line this season between stops in Tampa Bay and Atlanta means he likely won't have much fantasy appeal if Contreras ends up missing time at some point.
JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Albies hits 2 HRs, drives in 7 as Braves blast Mets 20-2
Ozzie Albies drove in seven runs with five hits, including two home runs, and the Atlanta Braves battered the New York Mets 20-2 for a strong finish to a disappointing monthJULY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Picks up start in series finale Smith will start at catcher and bat seventh Wednesday against the Red Sox.
Impact No. 1 catcher William Contreras will get a breather in the series finale, allowing Smith to pick up his sixth start behind the plate since being acquired from the Rays on May 19. Smith has been serviceable as a hitter during his time in Atlanta, going 5-for-19 with a pair of walks.
JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Riley homers, Smyly wins on birthday, Braves top Marlins 6-4
Austin Riley homered and drove in three runs, Drew Smyly gave up two runs over five innings on his 32nd birthday and the Atlanta Braves snapped a four-game slide by beating the Mia...JUNE 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays include McClanahan, Choi, Diaz on wild card roster
Rookie left-hander Shane McClanahan was a surprise addition to the 28-man roster the Tampa Bay Rays announced for the AL first-round series against the Toronto Blue JaysSEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Phillies eliminated from race by AL East champion Rays, 5-0
Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated from the playoff race with a 5-0 loss to rookie pitcher Josh Fleming the AL East champion Tampa Bay RaysSEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
White Sox, Rays secure berths in the postseason
White Sox, Rays secure berths in the postseasonSEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yarbrough ends 16-game skid, Rays beat Nationals 6-1
Ryan Yarbrough stopped a personal 16-game winless streak, Nate Lowe homered and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Washington Nationals 6-1SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Slugs first homer Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.
Impact The veteran backstop gave fellow catcher Michael Perez a breather Sunday and made good use of the opportunity, slugging a 426-foot shot to left field with Willy Adames aboard in the fourth. Smith has now appeared in seven September games (five starts) while helping put behind the dish in the absence of Mike Zunino (oblique), but he could well head back to the alternate training site in Port Charlotte once the latter jumps back into action.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
On base thrice in return Smith, who was just recalled from the Rays' alternate training site on Saturday, went 1-for-3 with an RBI fielder's choice, a double and two walks in a win over the Marlins on Sund...
Impact Smith made some noise out of the bottom of the order in his first taste of major-league action since Aug. 8. The veteran backstop is up from the alternate training site due to the oblique issue that landed Mike Zunino on the injured list, so he should see some solid playing time for the next 10 days at minimum while splitting catching duties with Michael Perez.
AUGUST 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Gets DFA'd The Rays designated Smith for assignment prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact Smith's removal from the 40-man roster and 28-man active roster clears a spot for reliever John Curtiss, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move. The Rays' No. 3 catcher had appeared in four games for the big club, recording a base hit in his lone at-bat.
AUGUST 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Seeing minimal action Smith, who delivered a two-run pinch-hit single in the second game of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Saturday, has logged just two plate appearances and appeared in four gam...
Impact The veteran backstop remains firmly behind Mike Zunino and Michael Perez on the depth chart, relegating him to just in-game appearances thus far. Smith also spent time on the COVID-19 injured list for 24 hours last weekend as a precaution after displaying some minor virus symptoms, but he quickly produced two negative tests to clear the protocol. Despite his inactivity thus far, Smith serves as solid insurance at catcher, given he's been a serviceable hitter in past stops and Zunino continues to struggle with a .100/.206/.233 line entering Sunday's action.
AUGUST 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
