WILL SMITH NEWS

Takes first loss Smith (0-1) was charged with the loss after he surrendered four runs on two hits and two walks during the ninth inning Saturday versus the Twins.

Impact Smith entered for the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1 and immediately induced a groundout, but Minnesota then rallied for four runs as five of the next six batters reached base. Notably, he was lined up for the save chance before James McArthur, who is also in the mix at closer, blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning, but Smith's rough season debut certainly won't help his standing. John Schreiber is the third option in the potential closing committee and delivered a scoreless seventh Saturday.

MARCH 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Buxton, Vázquez deliver timely hits as Twins rally for 5-1 victory over Royals

Byron Buxton drove in the tying run in the eighth inning, Christian Vázquez drove in the go-ahead run to start off a four-run ninth, and the Twins rallied for a 5-1 victory over th...

MARCH 30, 2024 • Associated Press

Dodgers, Smith agree to 10-year contract extension Since his debut in 2019, Smith leads all catchers (min. 1,500 plate appearances) with a 128 wRC+ while producing an .840 OPS.

MARCH 27, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Will Smith, Dodgers finalizing 10-year extension (source) The Dodgers are keeping another one of their core pieces in place for the long haul. Catcher Will Smith is finalizing a 10-year extension wi...

MARCH 27, 2024 • MLB.COM

Three titles later, Smith returns to KC - and he brought friends, too SURPRISE, Ariz. -- When Will Smith was first at the Royals’ Spring Training complex in Surprise, Ariz., in 2011, the current clubhouse did n...

FEBRUARY 16, 2024 • MLB.COM

Royals sign reliever Will Smith to $5 million deal to close out games in 2024

The Kansas City Royals signed Will Smith to a $5 million contract for the upcoming season Monday

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • Associated Press

Will Smith a one-player dynasty with individual three-peat If you’re on Will Smith’s team this time of year, consider yourself fortunate. No, not THAT Will Smith. Nor the acting one. We’re talking ab...

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • MLB.COM

Rangers' Will Smith wins three consecutive World Series titles with three different teams Will Smith has won a World Series title with the 2023 Rangers, 2022 Astros and 2021 Braves.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Three years, three teams, three World Series titles: Will Smith's journey a first in big leagues

Will Smith has been a really good relief pitcher in the big leagues for 12 years

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • Associated Press

Will Smith World Series timeline: How Rangers reliever can make MLB history after titles with Braves, Astros | Sporting News Canada Will Smith could make a lot of history tonight if he and the Rangers were to capture the World Series on Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Has 'Considered' Moving Will Smith Down in Lineup, Unlikely to Do It Despite Will Smith’s recent struggles, Dave Roberts is unlikely to move him down in the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Makes scoreless appearance Smith allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Angels.

Impact Smith, who normally works as setup reliever when the Rangers are leading, made a low-leverage appearance following a rough stretch. The left-hander was tagged for six runs on six hits and three walks over his previous three outings. It's unclear whether using Smith in a mop-up role was a way to give him a positive feeling about an outing or if it was because he hadn't thrown in five days. Maybe a little of both.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers News: Will Smith Feels He's Battling More Bad Luck Than Bad Swing Right Now Will Smith thinks he is hitting in bad luck.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Takes loss Saturday Smith (2-6) was credited with Saturday's loss, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk to Cleveland.

Impact The Rangers clung to a 1-0 lead when Smith entered to open the top of the eighth inning. He faced the three-batter minimum, allowing two baserunners that eventually scored off Jose Leclerc. Smith has pitched well in a setup role since Aroldis Chapman became the primary closer; Saturday's outing halted a streak of seven consecutive scoreless outings.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Says Will Smith Finally Turning the Corner at the Plate Dave Roberts underestimated Will Smith’s rib injury effects.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Gives up winning knock Smith allowed one run on one hit over one inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

Impact The Rangers' bullpen blew another lead, although the save was blown by, and the loss was credited to, Josh Sborz prior to Smith entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith's contributions to the loss was giving up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers. This was sixth time in the last eight games that Smith has allowed runs, and the Rangers' closer has a 14.21 ERA with two losses and two blown saves during that stretch. Texas manager Bruce Bochy has not indicated a change in the closer's role, but there could be one afoot. Aroldis Chapman is the most likely candidate to take over.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fastball command off Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith's recent bout of ineffectiveness was due to command of his fastball, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "It's kind of been a one-pl...

Impact Smith has blown two saves and sports a 15,19 ERA over his last seven outings. He agreed with the manager that location is the reason for the recent struggles. Bochy did not give a clear answer when discussing the closing role, but the manager had Aroldis Chapman attempt to close Monday's game, which eventually went to extra innings where Smith blew the save. There was a stretch earlier this month when it looked like the back end of the bullpen was set with Josh Sborz, Chapman and Smith, in that order. However, recent events mean fantasy managers should understand that Smith is not guaranteed to close every game. The Rangers are off Wednesday, and the manager hopes the 'pen can reset.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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