KEVIN SMITH NEWS

Sitting Wednesday Smith is not in the lineup Wednesday against Atlanta.

Impact Smith will sit out a second consecutive game Wednesday as Matt Davidson will draw another start at third base and bat eighth. It's possible that Davidson will get the lion's share of starts at the hot corner for the time being.

JUNE 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits bench again Tuesday Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Atlanta, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith will take a seat for the second time in three games while the Athletics give new Triple-A Las Vegas call-up Matt Davidson a look at third base. Though Oakland is in rebuilding mode and is prioritizing the development of younger players, Smith could be at risk of a demotion if his ongoing slump continues much longer. Over his last 10 games, Smith has gone 1-for-30 while striking out 11 times and drawing only two walks.

JUNE 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Saturday Smith isn't starting Saturday against Boston.

Impact Smith started in the last two games and went 0-for-6 with a walk and four strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Chad Pinder starts at the hot corner and bats fifth.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Walks in return to action Smith (knee) went 0-for-2 with a walk in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday.

Impact The rookie had missed Tuesday's matchup with a knee bruise, but he was able to start and play a full game at third base Wednesday. Smith is still mostly scuffling against big-league arms, as his season line stands at an unsightly .200/.227/.336 following Wednesday's contest.

JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Smith (knee) is starting Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Impact Smith sat out Tuesday's matchup due to a bruised knee, but he'll start at the hot corner and bat eighth Wednesday. He went 1-for-11 with a double and two strikeouts over the his last three games.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Tuesday Smith (knee) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 25-year-old exited Monday's matchup with Houston due to a knee bruise, and he'll be withheld from the lineup for at least one game. Manager Mark Kotay previously said he expected Smith to be available Tuesday, so there's a chance he makes an appearance off the bench.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with bruised knee Smith left Monday's game against the Astros early due to a knee contusion, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact According to Gallegos, Smith likely suffered the injury on a diving attempt near the dugout, but he appears to have avoided any significant damage. Oakland manager Mark Kotsay stated after the game that he expects Smith to be available for the second game of the series Tuesday.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Departs with apparent injury Smith exited Monday's game against the Astros in the bottom of the sixth inning due to an apparent injury, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Athletics were held without a hit for the first five innings of Monday's matchup, but Smith led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double. However, the 25-year-old slowed down as he headed into second base and left the game with a trainer. The exact nature and severity of his injury aren't yet clear.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Friday Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith started the past five games and will take a seat after going 4-for-16 with a double, an RBI and two runs during that stretch. Sheldon Neuse will man the hot corner in his place.

MAY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Multi-hit effort in Sunday's loss Smith went 2-for-3 with a double and a run in a loss to the Angels on Sunday.

Impact Smith mustered the only multi-hit effort of the day in yet another meager offensive output for the Athletics. The 25-year-old's .222/.243/.384 slash line leaves plenty to be desired, but he's now notably laced 11 of his 22 hits for extra bases.

MAY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Saturday's lineup Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Angels.

Impact Smith started in the last seven games and hit .190 with a homer, three RBI and seven strikeouts. Sheldon Neuse will shift to third base while Cristian Pache starts in center field.

MAY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Second straight two-hit effort Smith went 2-for-4 in a loss to the Twins on Wednesday, his second consecutive two-hit effort.

Impact With Wednesday's production, Smith pulled his average back up over the Mendoza Line to .209. The 25-year-old had belted his second home run of the season in Tuesday's win, a two-run shot that had staked Oakland to an early 2-0 lead in what was ultimately a 5-2 victory. Nine of Smith's 19 hits have impressively gone for extra bases thus far, so if he can continue to pick up the pace at the plate the more he acclimates to big-league arms, he could turn into a viable fantasy asset over the course of his rookie season.

MAY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Friday Smith will sit Friday against the Angels.

Impact Smith sits after starting 10 straight games, a stretch in which he hit just .176/.200/.382. Sheldon Neuse will start at third base Friday.

MAY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Collects three hits in twin bill Smith went 3-for-7 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base across both games of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Impact Smith started at third base and shortstop during the twin bill and now has hits in each of the past three games. The 25-year-old is handling an everyday role for Oakland but doesn't offer much production with a .219/.254/.375 slash line along with one home run, seven RBI, five runs and two stolen bases.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Handling everyday role Smith will start at third base and bat sixth in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Impact Smith is getting his seventh start in a row and looks to be locked in as the Athletics' everyday third baseman against both left- and right-handed pitching now that the more versatile Sheldon Neuse has moved into picking up regular at-bats at several different positions. Despite the steady playing time, Smith hasn't offered much from a fantasy perspective since slugging a grand slam in a May 3 loss to the Rays. In the five games that followed, Smith went 1-for-15 with a triple, a walk and no runs or RBI.

MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Belts grand slam Smith went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 10-7 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Impact Smith took opposing starter Ryan Yarbrough deep to left in the first inning to give Oakland an early 5-1 lead, though that would be it for his damage at the plate. Since going hitless through his first six games, the 25-year-old has turned things around by going 10-for-27 over his last nine. The homer was Smith's first and he's now slashing .233/.267/.395 with half of his 10 hits going for extra bases.

MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Monday Smith isn't starting Monday against the Rays.

Impact Smith started in the last two games and went 3-for-7 with a double, an RBI, a steal and a strikeout. Sheldon Neuse will shift to third base while Jed Lowrie serves as the designated hitter Monday.

MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

First stolen base Saturday Smith went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in a loss to the Guardians on Saturday.

Impact Smith made his first start since his return from the injured list due to an ankle issue and came through with one of two multi-hit efforts for the Athletics. The 25-year-old had also laced a double as a pinch hitter Friday, and he's reached safely in six of his last seven games overall dating back to April 14.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles in Friday pinch-hit at-bat Smith (ankle) entered Friday's loss to the Guardians in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter and doubled in his only at-bat.

Impact Activated from the injured list earlier in the day, Smith hit the ground running in his first official at-bat since April 18. Smith has produced a forgettable .188/.235/.281 slash line in his first 34 plate appearances, but at least half of his six hits have gone for extra bases.

APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to go Smith (ankle) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday.

Impact Smith wound up missing just the minimum 10 days with a bone bruise in his left ankle. He was featured heavily prior to his injury and will likely continue to earn regular playing time, though he'll have to hit a lot better than the .161/.212/.226 line he managed prior to his injury if he's to keep it.

APRIL 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Smith (ankle) reported to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Impact Smith landed on the shelf last week with a bone bruise in his left ankle, and the start of a rehab assignment indicates it won't be a long stay on the injured list. The 25-year-old should only require a couple games in the minors and should rejoin the A's this weekend.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Making good progress Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Smith (ankle) took part in full baseball activities Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith, who is recovering from a bone bruise in his left ankle, was able to take batting practice in the cage and field grounders at third base as part of an extended workout. Kotsay said after the workout that Smith could soon head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment before potentially returning from the 10-day injured list at some point next weekend.

APRIL 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IL The Athletics placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a bone bruise in his left ankle, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith was spotted with his left ankle in a walking boot Tuesday, so his move to the IL a day later doesn't come as a major surprise. The rookie infielder has gotten off to a rough start to 2022, slashing .161/.212/.226 with a 30.3 percent strikeout rate across 33 plate appearances. Smith's absence for at least the next week and a half should give Sheldon Neuse more job security as the Athletics' primary third baseman.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with injury Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles and is wearing a protective walking boot, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact The 25-year-old apparently suffered the injury during Monday's contest on a feet-first slide, though he never actually exited the contest. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, and Smith should be considered day-to-day until his status is updated.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Tuesday Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

Impact Smith started the past six games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-19 with two doubles, two walks, an RBI and three runs during that stretch. Sheldon Neuse will start at the hot corner Tuesday with righty Chris Ellis on the mound for Baltimore.

APRIL 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE