MALLEX SMITH NEWS

Optioned off roster Smith was optioned to the Mariners' alternate training site Tuesday.

Impact Smith has been an interesting fantasy option for a few seasons thanks to his considerable speed, as he stole 86 bases across the last two seasons, but questions about his ability to hit well enough to remain in the lineup on a regular basis to keep his steals total up have remained an issue. He's answered those questions firmly in the negative so far this year, hitting a miserable .133/.170/.178 through 14 games. If he eventually returns to the roster later this season, he may not play enough to have much fantasy relevance.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Looks like reserve player Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Impact Now on the bench for the fifth time in seven games, Smith seems to have at least temporarily lost out on a regular spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitching. While Smith has gone 2-for-2 on stolen-base attempts, his performance at the plate has been even rougher than usual, as he enters play Sunday with a .133/.170/.178 slash line and 27.7 percent strikeout rate over 47 plate appearances. Expect Tim Lopes to continue receiving more work in the corner outfield at Smith's expense.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Retreats to bench Smith isn't in the lineup Friday against the Astros.

Impact Smith will take a seat for the fourth time in the past five games in the midst of a slump. He went 1-for-4 with one strikeout Wednesday. Dylan Moore will shift to right field with Dee Gordon taking over as the left fielder.

AUGUST 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Smith isn't starting Tuesday against the Rangers.

Impact Smith will sit for a third consecutive game as he's swung a cold bat to begin the year. Dylan Moore will take over in right field with Dee Gordon stepping in as the left fielder Tuesday.

AUGUST 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Monday Smith isn't in the lineup Monday against the Rangers.

Impact Smith has been in a slump to begin the season, and he'll ride the bench for his second straight game. Dylan Moore will shift to right field with Tim Lopes starting in left field.

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sits amid season-long slump Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Impact With another hitless showing in Saturday's 5-0 loss, Smith is now batting .135/.179/.189 with a career-worst 28.2 percent strikeout rate through 11 games. While Smith's porous offensive production would likely relegate him to a full-time bench role on most teams, the Mariners don't have many appealing alternatives on the active roster. Seattle doesn't seem eager to start the service clock on top prospect Jarred Kelenic, so it may simply wait and hope that one of Smith, Tim Lopes or Dee Gordon eventually heats up at the plate to solidify a spot in the corner outfield.

AUGUST 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Productive out of bottom of order Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a stolen base in a loss to the Rockies on Friday.

Impact Smith experienced some rather rare success with the bat, opening the scoring on the night with his second-inning single that plated Dee Gordon. The speedster also swiped his second bag of the campaign in what was his first multi-hit effort of 2020. Smith is 3-for-7 over the last two games, but his season line still sits at an unsightly .147/.194/.206.

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Tuesday Smith is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

Impact Smith has seen inconsistent playing time in recent contests as he's gone 2-for-23 with two doubles, two RBI, two runs and nine strikeouts over seven games this year. Dylan Moore will start in right field, batting eighth.

AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Smith remains out of the lineup Saturday against Oakland.

Impact Smith has now sat for two straight games and for four of the last six contests, including twice against righties like Saturday's starter Mike Fiers. He's gone just 1-for-17 at the plate this season after missing the early part of summer camp for undisclosed reasons. Dylan Moore will start in right field in his absence.

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Taijuan Walker overpowering as Mariners beat Athletics 5-3

Taijuan Walker threw one-hit ball over seven innings, Kyle Lewis recorded his sixth straight multi-hit game, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 5-3

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

McCullers returns, Astros top Seattle for 15th straight time

Lance McCullers Jr. was solid in his return from Tommy John surgery, and Yuli Gurriel and George Springer homered to help the Houston Astros to a 7-2 win over the Seattle Mariners

JULY 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Baker wins debut, Astros top M's in 1st game post sign scam

Dusty Baker posted a win in his debut as Houston’s manager and the Astros, playing for the first time since their sign-stealing scandal rocked baseball, opened the season by beatin...

JULY 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners sign Shaw, place Murphy on IL ahead of opener

The Seattle Mariners signed right-handed pitcher Brian Shaw and placed catcher Tom Murphy on the 10-day injured list in setting their 30-man roster for the start of the regular sea...

JULY 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How to prep for Camp? In a tent, says Smith After going 3-for-5 with a double in in his first intrasquad game on Saturday night, Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith told reporters on a vi...

JULY 19, 2020 • MLB.COM

Excels in return to action Smith, who just arrived in summer camp Monday, played all nine innings in Saturday's intrasquad game and went 3-for-5 in the contest, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Impact The fact the speedy outfielder was able to play a full nine in his first taste of game action in months was a welcome sight for manager Scott Servais and Smith himself, who expressed how grateful he was to be back out on the field. Smith also notably wore a mask throughout the entirety of the contest and even for postgame interviews, remarking "you probably won't catch me without it" to reporters. Given his level of participation Saturday, Smith appears to be on track to starting the season as the everyday center fielder as originally projected, something Servais confirmed prior to the game as well.

JULY 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Impressive in final tune-up Gonzales, the Mariners' Opening Day starter, was impressive over his four-inning start in Saturday's intrasquad game, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. "I feel ready to g...

Impact The southpaw allowed two runs on five hits and a wild pitch while recording three strikeouts, but he arguably performed even better than the line indicates. Drayer reports the first run was partly manufactured by a Mallex Smith popup bunt, with the speedy outfielder subsequently advancing on Gonzales' errant offering. Gonzales also didn't allow much hard contact outside of a double he surrendered to Evan White, and he was efficient enough to reach his 50-pitch limit across four frames instead of three. It remains to be seen how long Gonzales will be allowed to go Opening Day against the Astros, but with manager Scott Servais planning a six-man rotation, it's likely his workload will be relatively abbreviated.

JULY 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be ready Smith is expected to be ready to play by Opening Day, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith was unable to report to camp until Monday for undisclosed reasons, giving him less than two weeks of practice time before the season begins on July 24 against the Astros. The Mariners are seemingly unconcerned about his readiness for the upcoming season, which should give Smith enough at-bats to have the chance to lead the league in steals for the second straight season.

JULY 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AL West Preview Capsules

JULY 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

4 Mariners benefiting from Summer Camp After nearly two weeks of Summer Camp, it's apparent that a few things have changed regarding the Mariners. With Mallex Smith and Dylan Moor...

JULY 15, 2020 • MLB.COM

Remains hot in summer camp Lopes, who hit .440 during Cactus League play, has remained similarly impressive thus far in summer camp, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Impact By virtue of his dynamic spring training, Lopes had arguably already sewn up a spot on what was then supposed to be a 26-man Opening Day roster. Now that there are four more slots to work with and Lopes has collected four hits in his first six official at-bats during intrasquad games in summer camp, his job security likely has gone up another notch. In addition to his impressive work with the bat, Lopes also continues to enhance his case with a versatile glove that has seen him put in time at second base, third base and left field. The 26-year-old's caliber of performance has been such that Brock predicts a possible starting left field job for Lopes when the season opens, with Kyle Lewis shifting over to center field in such a scenario and Mallex Smith, who didn't arrive in camp until Monday, getting eased back into action.

JULY 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners’ Mallex Smith looks for rebound season PEORIA, Ariz. — A conversation with Mallex Smith can be enlightening, amusing and maddening, all in the same moment.

MARCH 10, 2020 • COLUMBIAN.COM

Smith's sprint in 13th to lift Mariners over Orioles 7-6

Smith's sprint in 13th to lift Mariners over Orioles 7-6

SEPTEMBER 22, 2019

Mariners recall OF Mallex Smith, option IF Shed Long

The Seattle Mariners have recalled outfielder Mallex Smith after a couple of weeks with Triple-A Tacoma to work on his approach at the plate

MAY 16, 2019

Hedges’ homer bounces off Smith’s glove in Padres’ 6-3 win

Hedges' homer bounces off Smith's glove in Padres' 6-3 win

APRIL 24, 2019

Mariners' Smith slowed by sore shoulder

Mariners' Smith slowed by sore shoulder

FEBRUARY 15, 2019