Dodgers' offense hot on chilly night in 8-2 win over D-backs
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2 in their season openerMARCH 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
WILL SMITH #31 - PITCHER - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
0-4 W-L •
1.45 WHIP •
6.53 ERA
0-4 W-L
1.45 WHIP
6.53 ERA
Back to action Smith threw a scoreless relief inning in Wednesday's spring game against the White Sox.
Impact Smith hurled the eighth inning ahead of closer Jose Leclerc in what looked like the bullpen's dress rehearsal for the regular season. After five shutout innings from starter Nathan Eovaldi, Taylor Hearn got four outs and Jonathan Hernandez retired two batters before the back end of the bullpen finished it off. Smith has appeared in two games since returning to camp Monday following the birth of his son.
MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Returning to camp Smith is scheduled to pitch Monday after being out of camp for several days to attend the birth of his son, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact Smith has thrown just two innings this spring and hasn't been on the mound in a week. He was acquired by the Rangers as insurance after projected closer Jose Leclerc was shut down briefly due to neck spasms. Leclerc is pitching again, meaning Smith is expected to be part of the setup crew.
MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Meneses homers twice, Mexico clobbers US 11-5 in WBC
Joey Meneses hit two homers, including a crucial three-run shot in the fourth inning, to lead Mexico in a lopsided win over the United States 11-5 in the World Baseball Classic on...MARCH 12, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lefty Will Smith agrees to $1.5M, 1-year deal with Rangers
Left-handed reliever Will Smith agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers and will report to spring trainingMARCH 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Signs with Texas Smith signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Saturday.
Impact Houston declined Smith's $13 million club option for 2023 after the lefty posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and five saves over 65 appearances last season. Smith surpassed 30 saves in 2019 and 2021 with San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively, and could close in Texas with Jose Leclerc (neck) banged up. Smith is expected to join the team right away Saturday.
MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Braves trade Odorizzi to Rangers for Allard in pitcher swap
The Atlanta Braves have re-acquired left-hander Kolby Allard, a former first-round pick by the team, from the Texas Rangers for right-hander Jake Odorizzi and cashNOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Enters free agency The Astros declined Smith's $13 million club option for 2023 on Wednesday, making him a free agent, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact After coming over in a trade from Atlanta on Aug. 1, Smith proceeded to make 24 relief appearances for Houston during the regular season, compiling a 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and six holds in 22 innings. Though Smith was part of the Astros' active roster during the World Series, he was inactive for the first two rounds of the playoffs, so it doesn't come as a major surprise that Houston isn't willing to keep a middle reliever around at a salary north of $10 million. Smith shouldn't have much trouble finding a new home in free agency, but the 33-year-old likely isn't viewed as a viable option at closer at this stage of his career.
NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Added to World Series roster Smith was added to the Astros' World Series roster Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Smith will join the Astros ahead of Game 1 of the World Series against the Phillies, replacing Seth Martinez in the bullpen. The left-hander has produced an impressive 1.47 ERA over 18.1 career playoff innings and won the World Series with Atlanta in 2021.
OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Cronenworth, Padres rally to stun Dodgers 5-3 to reach NLCS
Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking, two-run single with two outs in the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 to advance to the NL Champi...OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not included on ALDS roster Smith will not be on the Astros' roster for the ALDS against the Mariners.
Impact Smith owns an excellent 1.47 ERA in 18.1 career postseason innings. His absence from this series may be due more to strategic reasons than anything else, as the Astros elected not to carry a single left-handed reliever.
OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Astros' Phil Maton out for playoffs after punching locker
Astros reliever Phil Maton says he broke his right pinkie when he punched a locker in frustration after Houston’s regular-season finale and will miss the postseasonOCTOBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tagged with loss Smith (0-2) took the loss on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
Impact Smith came out in the 10th inning with the score tied 2-2 and gave up a bunt single to Geraldo Perdomo on the very first pitch he threw, which drove the leadoff runner, Carson Kelly to third base. Daulton Varsho grounded into a fielder's choice to second base in the next at-bat to score Kelly and the former would later come around to score himself, along with Jake McCarthy, on a Christian Walker single just after Smith was removed from the game. The left-hander is 0-2 in 11 September appearances, allowing four earned runs over that stretch with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Freeman, Dodgers edge Marlins 3-2 in 10 innings
Freddie Freeman drove in the go-ahead run with a grounder in the top of the 10th inning, Chris Martin escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half and the Los Angeles Dodgers defe...AUGUST 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
O'Neill's 3-run HR in 8th lifts Cardinals over Braves 6-3
Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run homer to break an eighth-inning tie and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the Atlanta Braves 6-3AUGUST 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Riley, Wright lead Braves past Astros 6-2 in Series rematch
Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off Lance McCullers Jr., Kyle Wright won his 15th game to tie for the NL lead, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 in the teams’ f...AUGUST 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gonsolin, Dodgers win 11th in a row, break away from Royals
Tony Gonsolin took a no-hit try into the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers won their 11th straight game, beating the Kansas City Royals 8-3AUGUST 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trey Mancini homers in first start with Astros since trade
Trey Mancini homered in his first start for Houston to back a sterling performance by Jose Urquidy, and the Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1AUGUST 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Strider, Rosario power Braves to 13-1 rout of Phillies
Spencer Strider struck out a career-high 13 in six-plus innings, Eddie Rosario tied a career high with five RBIs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 13-1 for thei...AUGUST 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trade deadline recap: Soto to Padres; Phillies, Twins add
Baseball’s trade deadline day was an action-packed affair — and no one had more fun than the PadresAUGUST 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sent to Houston Smith was traded to the Astros from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for starter Jake Odorizzi, Mark reports.
Impact Smith has not been as stout this season as he has been in years past, but he remains tough against lefties and will bolster the Astros' bullpen for the stretch run.
AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Column: Heady times for the NFL's bottom feeders
These are giddy times in Atlanta and HoustonJULY 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Harris, Olson help Braves snap skid, beat Phillies 6-3
Michael Harris II and Matt Olson homered, Austin Riley stretched his hitting streak to 18 games and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 to end a two-game skidJULY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw takes perfect game into 8th, Dodgers rout Angels 9-1
Clayton Kershaw took a perfect game through the seventh and finished with eight scoreless innings of one-hit ball in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angel...JULY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
