WILL SMITH NEWS

Struggles again Monday Smith (1-5) blew a save and took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact There may be some noise around the fact that Texas manager Bruce Bochy elected to go to Aroldis Chapman rather than Smith with the Rangers up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, though Chapman was unable to seal the deal. When the Rangers took a two-run lead in the top of the 11th, Smith got his save opportunity after all, but he also blew it, allowing back-to-back two-out doubles to allow three runs to cross the plate. It's been a rough stretch of late for the veteran reliever, as he's posted a 15.19 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and two blown saves over his past seven outings. Chapman, by contrast, has allowed just one run while registering a 19:3 K:BB over 10 innings through 10 innings in August, so Monday's developments may be more than just a one-game thing, though there's been no official word of Smith moving out of the closer role.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Appears in non-save situation Smith allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 6-2 loss to Milwaukee.

Impact The Rangers expended several relievers in Friday's loss, when Andrew Heaney lasted 3.2 innings, then needed the bullpen again Sunday with Max Scherzer chased 3.2 innings. In between, Dane Dunning went just five innings Saturday. As such, manager Bruce Bochy had closer Will Smith enter a 3-1 game in the eighth inning, but he could survive a couple of infield hits and a throwing error. Smith has been reliable for the Rangers, but he's had a rough stretch of late. He's given up runs in five of the last nine outings, posting a 9.39 ERA during that stretch. It hasn't hurt the Rangers too much, as Smith converted five saves in six chances.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Sunday Smith (1-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out a batter in just two-thirds of an inning Sunday while blowing a save and taking a loss against the Giants.

Impact Smith was called upon to protect a one run lead in the 10th and nearly accomplished it after retiring the first two batters he faced. The lefty made a good pitch with an inside fastball to Patrick Bailey but Bailey jumped on it and it just cleared the fence in left field to give the Giants the win. Sunday was Smith's first blown save and loss and since July 3 even though he's allowed runs in three of his last four outings. Aroldis Chapman has thrown six shutout innings while recording a 15:2 K:BB this month and could be making a case to get a look at the closer role if Smith's struggles linger on.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yields run, secures 22nd save Smith allowed a run on one hit in one inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Impact Smith has given up four runs over his last six innings, but he's been able to protect leads all the same with five saves in that span. The closer gave up a double and an RBI groundout in Friday's somewhat shaky outing. Smith is up to 22 saves in 24 chances with a 3.14 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB through 43 innings this season as the Rangers' top closer.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Converts 21st save Smith walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Athletics.

Impact Smith put together a much better effort than in his last appearance Saturday, when he gave up two runs in one inning. He's converted a save in each of his last four outings. The veteran southpaw is now at a 3.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB with 21 saves and five holds over 42 innings this season. Smith continues to hold a noticeable edge over Aroldis Chapman for ninth-inning duties, though both have generally pitched well aside from a rare hiccup lately.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rallies for save No. 20 Smith gave up two runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning Saturday but still recorded his 20th save of the season in a 9-8 win over the Marlins.

Impact A one-out, two-run homer by Jake Burger ramped up the pressure on the veteran lefty, but Smith got soft contact out of the next two batters to preserve the Rangers' fifth straight win. The long ball was the first he'd served up since June 14, with Smith posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB through 14 innings in between. Despite the late June addition of Aroldis Chapman to the Texas bullpen, Smith's hold on the closer role has been secure, and he still appears to have a shot at collecting 30 saves in a season for the third time in his career.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns 19th save Smith picked up the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the White Sox, allowing one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Impact Smith entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and gave up a single to Oscar Colas after forcing a groundout in the first at-bat. However, the lefty veteran was able to run right through the next two batters, getting both to go down swinging, to seal up the game and secure his 19th save of the season. Smith has now converted his last five save opportunities, allowing just one run and no walks over that stretch (spanning six innings).

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures 18th save Smith picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Smith was called on in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order. Since being named a co-closer with Aroldis Chapman coming out of the All-Star break, Smith has converted each of his three save opportunities, allowing just one run on four hits across 6.2 innings in that span.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers News: Will Smith Seems to Have Avoided Major Injury, X-Rays Negative LA’s catcher caught a big break.

JULY 31, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Génesis Cabrera fans Will Smith | 07/25/2023 The Official Site of Major League Baseball

JULY 26, 2023 • MLB.COM

Notches save No. 17 Smith didn't allow a baserunner during the ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against Tampa Bay. He didn't strike out or walk any batters.

Impact Smith entered for the ninth inning with a two-run lead and quickly retired the side in order on just 10 pitches for his 17th save in 19 opportunities. The veteran lefty has given up just one hit across his past five outings and has a 2.75 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB over 36 innings this season. Manager Bruce Bochy recently named Smith and Aroldis Chapman as co-closers, with the former picking up Texas' last two saves.

JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up 16th save Smith allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Guardians.

Impact Smith has lost the full-time closer job, but he remains in the ninth-inning mix while sharing duties with Aroldis Chapman. The Rangers didn't take the lead until the eighth inning Sunday, so this was a bit of a surprise save chance. Smith has converted 16 of 18 save opportunities with a 2.83 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB through 35 innings. With the Rangers among the top teams in the American League, Smith should continue to see plenty of save chances, though he's also likely to pick up some more holds along the way.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up hold Smith struck out two over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over Cleveland.

Impact Smith, who needed just 19 pitches to get those five outs, shepherded the lead to the ninth inning for Aroldis Chapman, who was as efficient as Smith in picking up his first save since joining Texas. Earlier in the day, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced that Smith and Chapman would be co-closers, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'I just want to win': Smith embraces co-closer role with Chapman ARLINGTON -- Rangers closer Will Smith doesn’t question Bruce Bochy often, if ever. He’s a Hall of Fame manager, there’s not much to argue i...

JULY 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Dodgers News: Will Smith Admits He Used 2020 Diss as Fuel to Improve Game Safe to say it worked out well for him!

JULY 14, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Dodgers News: Will Smith Admits He Used 2020 Diss as Fuel to Improve Game Safe to say it worked out well for him!

JULY 14, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Dodgers News: Will Smith Likes the Resurgence of LHP Alex Vesia Vesia’s struggles were very noticeable, but for his Dodgers Teammate and All-Star Catcher, Will Smith, his hard work is recognizable as well...

JULY 13, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Lauded by coaches, peers, 'superstar' Smith's hard work paying off Will Smith did about everything he could. He had established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in baseball and was hitting cleanup...

JULY 10, 2023 • MLB.COM

Picks up one-out save Smith recorded the final out Tuesday to collect his 15th save of the season in a 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Josh Sborz began the ninth inning on the mound for the Rangers, but a single and a catcher's interference call on Mitch Garver put two runners aboard with two outs, and Smith got the call to retire Alex Verdugo and end the threat. The veteran lefty reliever had just blown his second save of the season Monday, but since the beginning of June, Smith has a 2.92 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 12.1 innings. His spot as the closer doesn't appear to be in any jeopardy from the new acquired Aroldis Chapman.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Former Dodgers OF Applauds Will Smith Finally Making All-Star Team Will Smith is making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic

JULY 3, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Tagged with second blown save Smith (1-3) blew the save and took the loss Monday against the Astros. He allowed two runs on three hits over one inning.

Impact It's Smith's first blown save since May 5 -- he'd pitched to a 2.00 ERA over his last 18 innings. The 33-year-old southpaw is now 14-for-16 in save chances this year with a 3.19 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 31 innings this season. Smith has certainly pitched well enough to hang onto the closing job, though the newly-acquired Aroldis Chapman has been quickly working his way up the Rangers' bullpen hierarchy.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works non-save situation Smith retired the lone batter faced in Saturday's 5-2 win over Houston.

Impact Smith entered a non-save situation with two outs in the ninth inning after Joe Barlow gave up a two-run home run to Kyle Tucker. Smith needed the work after not pitching since June 23. Lots of fantasy eyes are on Smith, who emerged as Texas' closer but could lose save opportunities to the recently acquired Aroldis Chapman. Rangers general manager Chris Young told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that whether Chapman is used as a closer is up to manager Bruce Bochy, but the GM wouldn't rule out that possibility.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers News: Will Smith Misses Out on All-Star Starting Spot, 3 LA Teammates Make Team Will Smith got snubbed!

JUNE 30, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Dodgers News: Will Smith Misses Out on All-Star Starting Spot, 3 LA Teammates Make Team Will Smith got snubbed!

JUNE 30, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Posts save Friday Smith struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Impact Smith made sure Adolis Garcia's go-ahead home run in the top of the 10th inning was enough for the Rangers to get the win. This was Smith's 10th straight save conversion, and he's allowed just four runs over 17.2 innings in that span. The left-hander has been a stabilizing force at the back of the Rangers' bullpen with a 2.73 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 29.2 innings while converting 14 of 15 save chances and adding four holds this season.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE