WILL SMITH NEWS

Notches save Monday Smith allowed a hit and one walk in a scoreless inning Monday, striking out one and earning a save against the White Sox.

Impact Smith put two runners on base to open the inning but escaped unscathed in the 5-2 victory. He's now converted nine consecutive save chances and has picked up 13 of his 14 opportunities on the year. The veteran southpaw dropped his ERA to 2.89 alongside a 31:8 K:BB through 28 frames this season.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures 12th save Smith gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 12th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Impact The veteran reliever converted his eighth straight save chance, a stretch that dates back to May 8 in which he's posted a 2.40 ERA and 18:2 K:BB through 15 innings. Smith has solidified the back of the Texas bullpen this season, reaching double-digit saves for the fourth time in his career, but his rebound this season may be the product of more than a little luck -- despite a career-low 23 percent groundball rate and career-high 41 percent flyball rate, his 5.7 percent HR/FB% is less than half his 2022 mark.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches save No. 11 Smith pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save Tuesday over the Cardinals. He struck out one in his appearance.

Impact Smith has now tossed four straight scoreless outings while not allowing a hit and picking up two saves and a win in the process. He's now converted 11-of-12 save chances on the year and sports a 2.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB over 22 innings.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up the win Smith (1-2) picked up the win over St. Louis on Monday, allowing one walk while striking out one over one inning.

Impact Smith was ready to enter a save situation, but Grant Anderson was unable to hold a two-run, eighth-inning lead. He picked up his first win of the season when Nathaniel Lowe walked off the Cardinals with a single.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Locks down 10th save Smith struck out one in a perfect inning to earn a save over Seattle on Friday.

Impact Smith needed just seven pitches to finish off the 2-0 win with no trouble. He picked up his first save since May 24 and he's now converted six consecutive opportunities. The 33-year-old lefty has produced a 3.15 ERA and a 24:6 K:BB through 20 frames.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches five-out save Smith picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.

Impact Smith entered with one out in the eighth inning after Jose Leclerc loaded the bases. The left-hander got Rodolfo Castro to fly out before striking out Jack Suwinski to end the frame. Smith then set down the Pirates in order in the ninth, securing a one-run victory and his ninth save. Smith has now converted his last five save opportunities across five scoreless innings. His ERA is down to 2.65 with a 0.88 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB through 17 innings this season. He's become a reliable source of saves on a first-place Rangers team.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down eighth save Smith struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his eight save of the season in a 7-4 win over Atlanta.

Impact It didn't look like the veteran lefty would be needed in this one until Jonathan Hernandez served up two homers in the eighth, shrinking a 6-1 Rangers lead. Smith is 8-for-9 in converting save chances this season with a 2.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings, and his reunion with manager Bruce Bochy has been a resounding success so far -- Smith saved 48 games for Bochy's Giants in 2018-19.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not used for save Smith was bypassed in a save situation in Friday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Athletics.

Impact Smith had pitched three of the last four games, including the previous two, so this could have been manager Bruce Bochy not wanting to use his closer for a fourth time in five nights. Instead, the manager stuck with Brock Burke, who had finished out the ninth but didn't retire a batter in the extra frame.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects seventh save Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Athletics, retiring the only batter he faced.

Impact Smith came in with two on and two outs in the ninth and struck out Brent Rooker on four pitches. The one-out save helped bail out Nathan Eovaldi, who dominated through 8.2 innings. Smith is up to seven saves having earned the closer duties over Jose Leclerc.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures sixth save Smith struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Mariners.

Impact The veteran reliever continues to get the job done as the Rangers' closer. Smith has converted six of seven save chances through 14 appearances while also adding four holds, and he's only been scored upon in three of those outings. With Jose Leclerc once again having trouble finding the plate and having been shifted to low-leverage work for now, Smith has little competition for his spot on the depth chart.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans all three hitters in save Smith picked up the save Monday against the Mariners. He struck out the side over a perfect inning.

Impact This was a nice bounce-back outing for Smith after blowing the save against the Angels last Friday. This was the first time this season that the southpaw struck out the side, and he now sports a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio on the year. The 33-year-old journeyman also has a 1.15 WHIP, still making him a solid relief option 11 years into his career.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains high-leverage reliever Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith will remain pitching in high-leverage situations following Friday's blown save, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact In Smith's first appearance after anointed as the team's closer -- taking over for Jose Leclerc -- the left-hander was rocked by the Angels in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning loss. Smith retains the confidence of the manager, who's watched the bullpen during a 13-game stretch when it either blew a lead or turned a tied game into a deficit in the seventh inning or later six times. There aren't many dependable arms for Bochy to choose from to close out games, so Smith should be safe.

MAY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falters Friday Smith (0-2) took the extra-inning loss and a blown save Friday versus the Angels. He gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk over 1.1 innings.

Impact Smith was responsible for all of the Angels' three runs in the ninth inning in his first appearance since being named the full-time closer. Despite that poor showing, he stayed in to face Shohei Ohtani after intentionally walking Mike Trout. Ohtani delivered a fielder's choice, and Josh Sborz reliever Smith, allowing the winning run to score on a wild pitch. While the loss was not fully Smith's fault, it was by far his worst outing of the season. He now has a 3.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB through 12 innings. He's added four saves and four holds in 12 appearances.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Named closer Smith will receive the bulk of the save opportunities for the Rangers moving forward, manager Bruce Bochy told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday.

Impact Smith collected his team-leading fourth save Tuesday in the Rangers' win over the Diamondbacks. He's recorded each of the club's last three saves to emerge as Bochy's clear lead option. Jose Leclerc entered the season seemingly at the top of the pecking order, and while he has a 0.93 ERA, his velocity has been down and he's walked seven in 9.2 innings.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fourth save Smith picked up the save Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He didn't allow a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Impact Smith was asked to get four outs while protecting a two-run lead. He struck out Nick Ahemd to end the eighth, but allowed the tying run to reach in the ninth before closing the door on the Diamondbacks. Smith has a team-high four saves with an excellent 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Locks up third save Smith picked up the save in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Yankees. He didn't allow a run, hit or walk while striking out one over one inning.

Impact Smith needed just eight pitches to retire the side in the ninth inning. The lefty has a team-high three saves on the season, as Smith and Jose Leclerc are splitting closer duties. Both pitchers have been excellent. Leclerc has a 0.93 ERA, while Smith is down to 1.93.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shuts door on Oakland Smith allowed one hit and struck out one to record his second save in Sunday's 5-2 win over Oakland.

Impact With a couple of left-handed batters due up in the ninth, Texas manager Bruce Bochy had Smith close out the game instead of a rested Jose Leclerc. Smith has been reliable in whichever role Bochy wants, so more save chances can be expected. The lefty reliever has allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns fourth hold Smith allowed one walk over two-thirds of an inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 9-1 win over Houston.

Impact Smith entered a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh and got former teammate Yordan Alvarez on a weak grounder to quell the threat. It was the fourth hold of the season for Smith, who finished off a good weekend against the club for whom he pitched in 2022 and received his World Series ring. Smith has allowed one run, two hits and three walks while striking out nine over 6.2 innings.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers put Will Smith on IL with concussion, sign Wynns

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed catcher Will Smith on the injured list because of a concussion and signed catcher Austin Wynns

APRIL 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers getting plenty of relief after spending on starters

The Texas Rangers have already gotten quite a bit of a relief after spending all of that big money on starting pitchers

APRIL 6, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Urías throws 6 shutout innings, Dodgers beat Rockies 5-2

Will Smith hit a two-run homer, Julio Urías tossed six scoreless innings to outpitch Germán Márquez, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-2

APRIL 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Calls save chance a surprise Smith conceded he was surprised to be called for Sunday's save opportunity against Philadelphia, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Smith had been warming up in the eighth inning if needed to replace Jonathan Hernandez, who worked a perfect inning, then sat down in preparation for Jose Leclerc to close. Smith said manager Bruce Bochy indicated on Opening Day that Leclerc was going to close for the Rangers to start the season. "So it was honestly kind of a surprise to all of us down there," Smith said. "Then the phone rings, and [bullpen coach] Brett [Hayes] says it's me." Bochy opted for Smith in Texas' first save situation and also talked about the versatility of the bullpen, noting that he could use any of his closer candidates in any inning.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers rally for 7 runs in 5th, put chill on Rockies 13-4

Jason Heyward slammed a two-run homer as part of a seven-run rally with two outs in the fifth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 13-4 on a wind-whipped n...

APRIL 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Records save Sunday Smith retired all three batters faced to pick up the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over Philadelphia.

Impact Smith got the call for the first save situation presented to the Rangers. Jose Leclerc exited spring training as the presumptive closer, but he was bypassed in favor of Smith, who was a late addition to the roster this spring. Leclerc was well rested, having thrown 21 pitches Thursday.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Semien, Perez help Rangers win 2-1 to sweep NL-champ Phils

Marcus Semien drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the fifth inning

APRIL 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS