Dominic Smith
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2021Mariners135487541094645116411361200.2240.3100.419
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MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Jun 17 2024Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Yusei Kikuchi taking the hill for Toronto, the lefty-hitting Smith will give way to Bobby Dalbec at first base. Expect the two to form a platoon at the position until Triston Casas (ribs) returns from the 10-day injured list, perhaps shortly before the All-Star break.
Jun 16 2024Smith went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Red Sox stole a franchise-best nine bases in this contest, and even the not-so-speedy Smith got in on the fun. The first baseman hasn't done much in June, going 9-for-34 (.265) with two extra-base hits and seven walks over 12 contests. It's still an improvement on his .217/.323/.313 slash line through 133 plate appearances this season, and he's added just two home runs, 19 RBI, 12 runs scored and five doubles. Smith remains in a strong-side platoon role at first base, and that'll likely continue until Triston Casas (ribs) returns in July.
Jun 15 2024Smith is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will take a seat as the Red Sox face left-hander Carlos Rodon on the mound. Bobby Dalbec will draw the start at first base and bat eighth against New York.
Jun 12 2024Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty Cristopher Sanchez on the hill for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Smith will hit the bench after starting in each of the last three contests. Bobby Dalbec will check in at first base Wednesday and could end up serving as Smith's regular platoon mate moving forward in the wake of Garrett Cooper being designated for assignment.
Jun 7 2024Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith was busy in the Red Sox's 14-2 win Thursday, reaching safely on four occasions. He'll get the day off against lefty Garrett Crochet, with Bobby Dalbec filling in at first and batting eighth.
Jun 6 2024Smith went 3-for-5 with two RBI, one walk and one run scored in Thursday's 14-2 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has three multi-hit efforts over his last six contests since getting a rest day last Thursday. He's also picked up at least one RBI in five of those six games. The 28-year-old is up to a .232/.321/.343 slash line with two home runs, 18 RBI, nine runs scored and no stolen bases over 112 plate appearances since he signed with Boston following his release from Tampa Bay at the start of May. Smith has settled into a strong-side platoon role at first base and played a decent part in run production without adding much else.
May 30 2024Smith isn't in the Red Sox's lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith failed to record a hit in 12 plate appearances during Boston's previous series against Baltimore, so he'll get a chance to clear his head Thursday. Garrett Cooper will get the nod at first base and bat sixth.
May 25 2024Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He took Bryse Wilson deep in the sixth inning for his first long ball of the year. Smith has taken over a starting role while Garrett Cooper deals with a slump and a sore shoulder, and Smith has responded by batting .281 (9-for-32) over his last 10 games with two doubles and eight RBI.
May 22 2024Smith will start at first base and bat sixth Wednesday versus Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith was originally scheduled to have Wednesday off, but he will now step in with Garrett Cooper battling a shoulder injury. Smith is slashing just .182/.224/.234 through 58 plate appearances this season, though he has recorded a base hit in six of his last eight games.
May 19 2024Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Smith will get a break as Boston takes on southpaw Matthew Liberatore. Garrett Cooper will fill in at first base and bat sixth while Tyler O'Neill moves to designated hitter as the Red Sox look to avoid the sweep in St. Louis.
May 12 2024Smith is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against Washington. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat for the series finale Sunday with left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the hill for the Nationals. Garrett Cooper will start at first base, while Rob Refsnyder fills in at designated hitter. Since joining the Red Sox on May 1, Smith is 4-for-24 with three RBI.
May 8 2024Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Chris Sale on the hill for Atlanta, the lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat while Garrett Cooper replaces him as Boston's designated hitter. Smith had started in each of Boston's last four games, going 3-for-16 with a double, a walk and two RBI.
May 2 2024Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After he was granted his release from his minor-league deal with the Rays earlier Wednesday, Smith quickly landed with the Red Sox on a one-year contract and was included in the lineup upon joining the team. He started at first base in Wednesday's 6-2 win, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. While Masataka Yoshida (thumb) is on the shelf along with Triston Casas (ribs), the Red Sox could have room in the lineup at designated hitter and first base for both Smith and Garrett Cooper (wrist), though the lefty-hitting Smith will still likely sit against most left-handed pitchers. Smith finds himself on the bench Thursday with the Giants bringing southpaw Kyle Harrison to the hill.
May 1 2024Smith signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith slashed .263/.337/.375 across 89 plate appearances with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate while on a minor-league deal. He was released by Tampa Bay earlier on Wednesday and will now join the Red Sox on a major-league deal to help make up for the loss of Triston Casas (ribs). Smith will likely end up splitting time with Garrett Cooper (wrist) at first base, replacing Bobby Dalbec.
Mar 30 2024Smith signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith opted out of his minor-league contract with the Cubs on March 22 after being told he would not make the team's Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old will add a left-handed depth bat for the Rays while beginning his time in the organization in the minors. Smith slashed .254/.326/.366 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI over 586 plate appearances with the Nationals in 2023.
Mar 22 2024The Cubs released Smith on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract after being told he would not be part of the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old posted a .909 OPS with one home run this spring. Smith should be able to latch on with another club seeking first base depth.
Mar 18 2024Smith seems likely to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, and he now has less competition with Matt Mervis getting optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith would give Chicago a left-handed power bat off the bench as well as a veteran option should Michael Busch falter at first base. It may not be a fantasy-friendly role right away, but Smith could have more value down the road if his playing time increases. The 28-year-old hit 12 home runs across 153 games with Washington last season to go along with a .254 batting average.
Mar 14 2024Smith disclosed this week in an interview with Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic that he's dealt with some form of right wrist or hand pain since reaching the majors in 2017. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith suffered a displaced fracture of his hamate bone in a Jan. 5 workout and underwent surgery Jan. 20 to remove the bone. The first baseman was diagnosed with tendinitis in the wrist years ago but suspects he might have been dealing with a small fracture all along that just worsened in January. Smith is in Cubs camp as a non-roster invitee and is competing for one of the final bench spots.
Mar 3 2024Smith (hand) is expected to see his first game action of the spring in Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith joined the Cubs on a minor-league deal in mid-February to provide veteran depth. He's got plenty of competition at first base, with Michael Busch, Matt Mervis, Cody Bellinger, Garrett Cooper and Patrick Wisdom all on the roster. As a result, Smith seems unlikely to come close to the 527 at-bats he received last year in Washington, though he could force himself into a larger role with a strong spring.
Feb 19 2024Smith signed a minor-league contract with Chicago on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith is the second left-handed bat the Cubs have signed on the day, as David Peralta inked a minor-league contract earlier Monday. Murray notes that the 28-year-old underwent hamate bone surgery in January, so while he may not be 100 percent by the beginning of camp, the expectation is that he'll be at full strength for the start of the 2024 campaign. There will be plenty of competition at first base throughout spring training, as Michael Busch, Matt Mervis and Patrick Wisdom are all in the mix for playing time.
Nov 18 2022Smith was non-tendered by the Mets and became a free agent on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith slashed just .194/.276/.284 over 152 major-league plate appearances last season before being sent down to the minors in August. With Smith stuck behind Pete Alonso and Daniel Vogelbach on the depth chart, it simply didn't make sense for the Mets to bring him back in 2023. The 27-year-old showed he can succeed in the majors in 2019 and 2020, recording a .937 OPS between the two seasons, so he should still draw some interest from teams looking for an additional left-handed bat.
Aug 11 2022Smith (ankle) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday and was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After missing three weeks with a right ankle sprain, Smith will remain with Syracuse after going 4-for-17 with an RBI and two runs scored over five games during his rehab assignment. The 27-year-old will likely be a top option to get called up to the big leagues down the stretch, though his .194/.276/.284 slash line over 134 at-bats in 58 games with the Mets this year leaves much to be desired.
Aug 4 2022Smith (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has been sidelined with a right ankle sprain since mid-July but has now been cleared to return to game action with the minor-league club. The Mets recently acquired Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin, so it's not yet clear whether Smith will have a role with the big-league squad once he's deemed fully healthy.
Jul 29 2022Smith (ankle) could begin a rehab assignment during the road trip that lasts through Wednesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It sounds like the best-case scenario would be Smith starting a rehab assignment in a couple days and then getting activated next weekend. Smith hit .194 with zero home runs in 58 games prior to getting injured.
Jul 21 2022The Mets placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right ankle sprain. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The transaction is retroactive to Sunday, so Smith will be eligible to come off the IL as soon as July 27. The Mets have yet to announce a corresponding roster move, but Smith's placement on the IL should open up more reps against right-handed pitching for Luis Guillorme or J.D. Davis.
Jul 17 2022Smith (ankle) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: According to Tim Healey of Newsday, manager Buck Showalter said Sunday that the swelling in Smith's ankle has lessened since the 27-year-old exited the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Even so, Smith will be sent in for more imaging when the Mets return to New York following Sunday's contest, so a trip to the injured list could still be a possibility. Jeff McNeil will replace Smith in the lineup Sunday as the Mets' designated hitter.
Jul 16 2022Smith will undergo an MRI on his right ankle, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith injured his ankle when running the bases in the 10th inning of the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He'll be on the bench for the nightcap as a result, with J.D. Davis serving as the designated hitter.
Jul 11 2022Smith isn't starting Monday's game against Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith is out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last seven games since left-hander Max Fried is on the mound for Atlanta on Monday. J.D. Davis will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh.
Jul 9 2022Smith isn't starting Saturday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will be out of the lineup for the third time in the last five games since left-hander Braxton Garrett is on the mound for Miami. J.D. Davis is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth.
Jul 7 2022Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, two runs and an RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Reds, the lefty-hitting Smith is beginning to make a case for playing more regularly against right-handed pitching. However, he'll head to the bench Thursday with southpaw Daniel Castano on the hill for Miami, affording J.D. Davis an opportunity to serve as the Mets' designated hitter.
Jul 5 2022Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Smith will give way to the righty-hitting J.D. Davis at designated hitter with lefty Nick Lodolo on the hill for Cincinnati. Smith went 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles and two RBI while starting in both of the past two contests, when the Mets opposed right-handed starting pitchers on both occasions. The 27-year-old may be trending toward earning a strong-side platoon role over infielder Luis Guillorme, who brings defensive value but is in a 2-for-26 slump at the plate over his past eight games.
Jun 20 2022Smith was recalled by the Mets on Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has hit a respectable .266/.347/.438 in 15 games since being demoted to Triple-A Syracuse at the end of May, though his return may be less about his own numbers and more about the fact that teams are limited to 13 pitchers for the rest of the season. The Mets needed to call up an extra bat, and Smith is their best option, but if he's to carve out a meaningful role the rest of the way he'll have to hit far better than the .235/.301/.346 line he's managed since the start of last season.
May 31 2022Smith was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has struggled mightily in a part-time role this season, hitting .186/.287/.256. Add in his numbers from a disappointing 2021 campaign and he now owns an 83 wRC+ over the last two seasons, a far cry from the 150 wRC+ he managed from 2019 to 2020 and nowhere close to a good enough mark for a defensively limited player like Smith. He'll try to get back on track with regular playing time in the minors, freeing up more at-bats for J.D. Davis, Luis Guillorme and Nick Plummer.
May 27 2022Smith isn't starting Friday against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has served in the strong side of a platoon this season, and he'll get a breather with left-hander Bailey Falter on the mound Friday. J.D. Davis will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth.
May 25 2022Smith went 2-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and a run in Tuesday's 13-12 loss to the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith nearly played hero for the Mets, as his leadoff triple in the top of the ninth put pinch runner Travis Jankowski in position to score the go-ahead run. However, the Giants rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to steal the game from the Mets, who missed out on becoming the National League's first team to reach the 30-win mark. The Mets will look to exact revenge in Wednesday's series finale, and the lefty-hitting Smith should be included in the lineup with the Giants bringing a right-hander (Jakob Junis) to the hill.
May 23 2022Smith will sit Monday against the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has struggled at the plate throughout the year, hitting .189/.274/.243 with zero homers. He'll sit for the third consecutive game, though this one is perhaps more significant as it's the first of that stretch to come against a righty (Alex Cobb). J.D. Davis remains the designated hitter.
May 22 2022Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Southpaw Austin Gomber is on the hill for the Rockies in the series finale, so the lefty-hitting Smith will head to the bench. J.D. Davis will serve as the Mets' designated hitter while Smith sits after going 0-for-5 with a run scored between both ends of Saturday's doubleheader.
May 21 2022Smith is not starting Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith played first base in the Mets' Game 1 win, going 0-for-4 with a run scored. Pete Alonso will handle first while J.D. Davis enters the lineup at designated hitter, batting eighth.
May 19 2022Smith isn't starting Thursday against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Although right-hander Dakota Hudson is starting for the Cardinals on Thursday, Smith will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale. J.D. Davis will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh.
May 17 2022Smith is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run during the Game 1 victory, and he'll take a seat for the nightcap with lefty Steven Matz on the mound for St. Louis. J.D. Davis will bat seventh as the designated hitter.
May 13 2022Smith isn't starting Friday against the Mariners, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has gone 0-for-13 with four strikeouts over his last six games, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight matchup with left-hander Marco Gonzales on the mound for the Mariners. J.D. Davis will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth.
May 12 2022Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Smith will give way to the righty-hitting J.D. Davis at designated hitter, even though the Nationals are bringing a right-hander (Joan Adon) to the hill. Though Smith should have the overall edge on playing time over Davis, the two don't look like they'll be deployed in a strict platoon.
May 10 2022Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Smith will cede designated-hitter duties to the righty-hitting J.D. Davis, who receives the starting nod with southpaw Patrick Corbin on the hill for Washington.
May 8 2022Smith is out of the lineup for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Phillies are bringing a southpaw (Cristopher Sanchez) to the hill for the second game of the twin bill, so the lefty-hitting Smith will cede his spot to the righty-hitting J.D. Davis as the Mets play matchups. Smith started at first base in the Mets' 3-2 loss in Game 2, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
May 4 2022Smith isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith started in the second game of Tuesday's twin bill and went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two strikeouts. Even with a right-hander (Ian Anderson) on the mound for Atlanta, the lefty-hitting Smith will give way at designated hitter to J.D. Davis, who may be the Mets' preferred option for the role at this stage following the recent removal of Robinson Cano from the 40-man roster.
May 3 2022Smith will sit for the first half of Tuesday's doubleheader against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith survived the roster cutdown Monday, as he remained on the active roster while Robinson Cano was designated for assignment. While that should give him a safer path to regular starts, he won't start every game, especially not both halves of a doubleheader. Francisco Lindor will rest his legs as the designated hitter in this game, but Smith should return to the lineup for the nightcap.
May 2 2022Smith isn't starting Monday against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 26-year-old has started exclusively against right-handed pitchers this year, and he'll get a breather Monday since southpaw Max Fried is starting for Atlanta. Smith went 4-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run in Sunday's win over Philadelphia and should see slightly more consistent playing time after Robinson Cano was designated for assignment Monday. However, Eduardo Escobar will serve as the designated hitter while J.D. Davis starts at third base in the series opener against Atlanta.
May 1 2022Smith will start at first base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will pick up his second start in a row after he went 0-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 4-1 loss. Though Smith has submitted a poor .489 OPS through 44 plate appearances on the season, the Mets could be more inclined to find him at-bats at designated hitter at the expense of Robinson Cano, who owns a comparable .501 OPS but is more than a decade older. Cano is on the bench for the fourth time in five games as the Mets continue to cycle in a number of different players at DH, with Pete Alonso getting a turn there Sunday while Smith plays the field.
Apr 19 2022Smith is not in the lineup for the first half of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Giants, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith returns to the bench after starting two straight games. Pete Alonso will handle his usual spot at first base while J.D. Davis serves as the designated hitter. Smith has a good chance to return to the lineup for the nightcap while the Mets give someone else a rest.
Apr 13 2022Smith will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will pick up his third start of the season while Robinson Cano takes a seat for the series finale and Pete Alonso gets a look as the Mets' designated hitter. After logging a career-high 493 plate appearances in 2021, Smith is expected to fill more of a part-time role for the Mets this season while the team has all of its key position players available.
Mar 20 2022Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an RBI triple in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Getting the start at first base and batting third, Smith appeared to be locked in at the plate, and Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports the 26-year-old attributes his early spring success to the work he put in this offseason on his swing. Smith studied the mechanics and approach of Hall of Fame talents like David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout, and he now feels more balanced at the plate and is staying back on pitches better. With that in mind, it's noteworthy Saturday's homer went to the opposite field off right-handed Josiah Gray, giving Smith some immediate validation that his work is paying off. Robinson Cano is the favorite to open the season as the Mets' designated hitter, but a big spring from Smith could allow him to muscle his way into the picture.
Mar 18 2022Smith revealed Friday that he played through a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder for part of the year and also dealt with wrist and groin issues, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith's slash line dropped from .316/.377/.616 in 2020 to .244/.304/.363 in 2021. His strikeout and walk rates remained very similar, but his barrel rate plummeted from 13.3 percent to 6.5 percent, which sure looks like a player who just couldn't hit the ball as hard as he used to. For those wanting to dream on a bounceback season for Smith, though it's worth noting that he had an even lower 6.0 percent barrel rate in 2019, his apparent breakout season. In that context, it's his excellent form in the 60-game 2020 campaign that looks like the clear outlier.
Mar 17 2022Smith homered twice off Max Scherzer in a simulated game Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While a sim game early in camp doesn't mean much, Scherzer didn't give up any other runs over four innings, and Smith has never had a hit against him in any games that count, going 0-for-16 in his career against the right-hander with seven strikeouts. A good spring training would go a long way toward ensuring Smith has a regular spot in the lineup after he put together a disappointing 2021 season, but it's unlikely the 26-year-old will be a true starter, instead splitting his time between first base, left field and DH.
Sep 8 2021Smith remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After being activated from the injured list Monday, the lefty-hitting Smith was unsurprisingly on the bench for the Mets' matchup with Nationals lefty Patrick Corbin. Smith has since been held out of the lineup for both of the Mets' first two games in Miami, where the team has opposed back-to-back right-handers (Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara) to begin the series. Jeff McNeil looks set to operate as the Mets' primary left fielder for the time being, leaving no room in the everyday lineup for Smith.
Sep 6 2021Smith was activated from the bereavement list but isn't starting Monday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will be available off the bench in Monday's contest, but Jeff McNeil will shift to left field while Jonathan Villar starts at third base. Across his six appearances prior to his absence, the 26-year-old went 4-for-13 with a double, three RBI and a run.
Sep 3 2021Smith was placed on the bereavement list Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith hasn't been in the starting lineup since Aug. 27 and will now step away from the team for a few days. The 26-year-old can spend between three and seven days on the bereavement list, so he should rejoin the Mets sometime next week.
Sep 2 2021Smith isn't starting Thursday's game against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has gone 1-for-7 with a run and an RBI in his last three appearances and will be out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game. Jeff McNeil will shift to left field while Jonathan Villar starts at third base.
Aug 31 2021Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's regularly-scheduled game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith remained in the lineup for the resumption of the suspended game Tuesday afternoon, and he'll head to the bench for the nightcap after going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Jeff McNeil will work in left field while J.D. Davis starts at the hot corner.
Aug 29 2021Smith is not in the lineup Sunday against Washington, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith is 2-for-27 in his past eight appearances and will take a seat for the second consecutive game. Kevin Pillar, who homered twice in Saturday's victory, will receive the start in left field for the Mets.
Aug 28 2021Smith isn't starting Saturday's game against the Nationals, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith went 0-for-6 with a walk and two strikeouts across the last two games but will get a breather with left-hander Sean Nolin starting for the Nationals. Jeff McNeil will shift to left field while Jonathan Villar enters the lineup at third base.
Aug 24 2021Smith is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Giants, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith is mired in a 1-for-25 slump and will sit for the second straight game against a left-handed pitcher (Sammy Long). Jeff McNeil will take over in left field while J.D. Davis starts at the hot corner.
Aug 22 2021Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty David Price on the hill for the Dodgers, Mets manager Luis Rojas will give three of the team's lefty-hitting regulars -- Smith, Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto -- the day off. Brandon Drury will step in for Smith in left field.
Aug 17 2021Smith is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Giants, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith started the past three games and will take a seat after going 1-for-12 with a walk and an RBI. Kevin Pillar will man right field Tuesday for the Mets.
Aug 13 2021Smith is not in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith is actually hitting much better against lefties than righties this season (.848 OPS versus LHP, .648 OPS versus RHP), but he'll nonetheless take a seat Friday with Julio Urias pitching for Los Angeles. Kevin Pillar will start in left field and bat seventh for New York.
Aug 7 2021Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will get a day off as the Mets elect to stack their lineup with right-handed hitters against lefty Ranger Suarez. Kevin Pillar will take over in left field and bat eighth.
Jul 28 2021Smith isn't starting Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will get a chance to reset after he went 0-for-10 with a walk and a strikeout across the last four games. Kevin Pillar will start in left field and bat eighth.
Jul 21 2021Smith went 2-for-4 with a walk and a grand slam in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He blew the game open in the third inning by taking Jeff Hoffman deep in the third inning with the bases juiced. Smith has found his groove in July, batting .305 (18-for-59) with five of his 11 homers on the year along with 14 RBI and 14 runs through 17 games.
Jul 20 2021Smith is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds, dee reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo homer -- his 10th of the season -- during Monday's victory in extra innings, and he'll take a seat Tuesday with southpaw Wade Miley pitching for Cincinnati. Kevin Pillar will work in left field in his place.
Jul 18 2021Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith got the Mets on the board with an RBI single in the third inning. His double in the sixth also led to a run as Jeff McNeil scored on Gregory Polanco's throwing error. The three-hit effort was Smith's first since July 3. The 26-year-old is slashing a modest .254/.321/.392 with nine home runs, 38 RBI, 34 runs scored and two stolen bases through 324 plate appearances this year.
Jul 3 2021Smith went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored against the Yankees on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Mets scored all of their eight runs during the fifth and sixth innings, and Smith was right in the middle of both rallies. His RBI single in the fifth opened the scoring, and his double the following inning plated two more runs. Smith has racked up five hits and 12 total bases over his past two contests to boost his average from .245 to .256. He's slashing .409/.409/.727 in his last seven games, including Thursday's two-homer performance.
Jul 1 2021Smith went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Thursday's 4-3 loss against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Despite losing, Smith slammed a solo homer in the seventh inning off Ian Anderson and in the ninth inning off Will Smith. It was Smith's first multiple homer game this season. The 26-year-old is slashing .249/.319/.384 with eight long balls, 31 RBI and 24 runs in 245 plate appearances. However, he is batting just .229 over his last 23 games.
Jun 30 2021Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Max Fried on the bump for Atlanta, the lefty-hitting Smith will hit the bench while Billy McKinney steps in as the Mets' left fielder. Smith should rejoin the lineup for Thursday's series finale, when Atlanta is set to bring right-hander Ian Anderson to the hill.
Jun 27 2021Smith is not in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith is 5-for-21 and is without an extra-base hit over his past six games, and he'll head to the bench Sunday. Billy McKinney will start in left field in his place.
Jun 20 2021Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After sitting out the second half of Saturday's doubleheader, the lefty-hitting Smith will remain on the bench for Sunday's series finale with a southpaw (Patrick Corbin) on the hill for Washington. Smith has actually been more productive against left-handed pitching (.316 wOBA, 105 wRC+ in 52 plate appearances) than right-handed pitching (.296 wOBA, 92 wRC+ in 181 plate appearances) this season.
Jun 19 2021Smith will sit for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith sits after going 0-for-3 in the afternoon contest. Brandon Drury gets the start in left field for the nightcap.
Jun 16 2021Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith took Robert Stock yard in the third inning to record his sixth home run of the season. It was his long ball in his past three starts, and he is also in the midst of a modest three-game hitting streak. Though he's gotten off to a slow start this season, Smith now has a 97 wRC+ with 24 RBI and 19 runs scored across 223 plate appearances.
Jun 15 2021Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored in Monday's 5-2 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 26-year-old snapped an 0-for-21 skid with the performance. It's been a tough season so far for Smith, but he's hit three of his five homers through 12 games in June despite a lackluster .225 batting average.
Jun 6 2021Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, walk, caught stealing and two strikeouts in a 6-2 win over the Padres on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith walked and was caught stealing second base in the second inning and blasted a solo home run to center in the fourth. After launching 10 home runs in 50 games in 2020, Smith has just four through 49 games season and owns a decent .260/.332/.373 slash line. One added factor of late has been Smith's activity on the bases, with both his steals and lone caught stealing all having come in June.
Jun 4 2021Smith isn't starting Friday against the Padres, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will get a breather after he went 4-for-9 with a three-run home run, two walks and two strikeouts across his last three games. Kevin Pillar will shift to left field while Billy McKinney starts in right.
Jun 2 2021Smith went 3-for-4 with three singles and a walk in Wednesday's 7-6 win over Arizona. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith kept the line moving throughout the game, but the Mets' No. 7 through 9 hitters and pinch hitters went a combined 1-for-12. Nonetheless, it was a solid game for the 25-year-old. He's now slashing .264/.324/.365 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 13 runs scored and a stolen base in 176 plate appearances. Smith has produced three multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
May 27 2021Smith (knee) will return to the lineup to play left field for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Colorado, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will wind up missing two games with a minor knee issue. The beat-up Mets can't afford any more injuries, so they'll be happy to see Smith back in the lineup even if he's hitting just .245/.301/.322 on the year.
May 26 2021Smith suffered a knee injury on a slide Tuesday but was expected to be available off the bench before Wednesday's game was postponed, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old never exited the contest, but he apparently suffered the injury during the sixth inning on Tomas Nido's home run, which was originally ruled a double. Smith should be considered day-to-day, and it's unclear if he'll be available to start in Thursday's doubleheader.
May 12 2021Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored during Wednesday's 7-1 win over Baltimore. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old delivered an RBI single during the third inning and brought home another run with a double two frames later. Smith is 8-for-22 with three walks, five RBI and three runs in his past seven appearances.
May 11 2021Smith is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Orioles, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-handed hitter has only started one game this season against lefty pitchers and that trend continues Tuesday as the Mets face John Means. Smith, hitting .182 in his last seven games, figures to return to the lineup Wednesday against righty Matt Harvey.
May 5 2021Smith isn't starting the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will take a seat with southpaw Kwang Hyun Kim starting Wednesday's matinee. Kevin Pillar will start in left field and bat fourth.
Apr 25 2021Smith is not in Sunday's lineup against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Patrick Corbin will take the mound for the Nationals, which will bump Smith from the lineup. Brandon Nimmo will take over in left field and hit leadoff, while Albert Almora will enter the lineup as the center fielder and bat eighth.
Apr 17 2021Smith will sit for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith went 0-for-3 with a walk and a pair of strikeouts in the first game of the day. Brandon Nimmo slides to left field in the evening game, with Kevin Pillar starting in center.
Apr 14 2021Smith went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's the first multi-hit performance of the year for the 25-year-old, who's managed only five hits in total over his first six games. That was still enough to boost Smith's batting average to .286 (8-for-28) and he has produced solid power numbers with two homers and six RBI, but his 0:11 BB:K is a cause for concern.
Apr 13 2021Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a strikeout in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: An 0-for-4 showing with two more whiffs in the nightcap put a damper on his day, but Smith still connected on his second homer of the year in the first inning of the opener. The 25-year-old has fanned nine times in his first 23 at-bats this season, leading to a .217 batting average, but three of his five hits have gone for extra bases (one double and two homers).
Apr 6 2021Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He got the Mets on the board by taking Chase Anderson deep in the fourth inning. Smith wasn't in the starting lineup for the team's belated season opener with a lefty on the mound for the Phillies, and if manager Luis Rojas continues to use him in a strict platoon, it will put a ceiling on Smith's fantasy value despite the upside he showed with the .993 OPS he posted in 2020.
Apr 5 2021Smith is not in the lineup Monday against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Mets had to wait four days to start their season due to the Nationals' COVID-19 outbreak, and Smith will have to wait at least one more day to make his first start. He'll be on the bench against lefty Matt Moore, with Brandon Nimmo sliding to left field and Kevin Pillar leading off and playing center field.
Mar 21 2021Smith (wrist) will bat third and play left field Sunday against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith had been out of action since being scratched Wednesday due to wrist soreness. The issue never appeared to be particularly serious, however, and he still has plenty of time to get up to game speed by Opening Day.
Mar 20 2021Smith (wrist) will start in left field during Sunday's spring game against the Nationals, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith took at-bats during Saturday's simulated game, and he'll be able to play left field against Washington on Sunday. Barring any setbacks, it's unlikely that Smith's brief absence will impact his availability for Opening Day.
Mar 19 2021Smith (wrist) took batting practice a day ahead of schedule Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins and isn't expected to play until Sunday. He doesn't seem concerned about the issue, however, saying Friday that he would be in the lineup if he dealt with a similar issue during the regular season.
Mar 18 2021Smith (wrist) won't play until Sunday at the earliest, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith was scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to a sore right wrist, and he's apparently set to miss at least three more days. However, there haven't been indications that the issue will cost him any time at the start of the regular season.
Mar 17 2021Smith was scratched from Wednesday's spring lineup against the Marlins due to wrist soreness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has apparently been dealing with a sore wrist throughout spring training, and the team opted to give him a day off Wednesday as a precautionary measure. Manager Luis Rojas didn't sound too concerned about the issue and said that Smith did some defensive work prior to Wednesday's game. Barring any setbacks, Smith could be back in the lineup in the coming days.
Mar 11 2021Smith is expected to play in left field during Friday's spring game against Miami, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith had been serving as the designated hitter for the Mets over the past week as the team brought him along slowly to begin spring training. He'll make his first defensive appearance in Friday's matchup since the Mets want to give him ample playing time at his primary position ahead of Opening Day. The 25-year-old has gone just 1-for-11 with a two-run home run and six strikeouts over his first four Grapefruit League games.
Mar 4 2021Smith is expected to see his first game action of the spring Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old will ease in as the DH before taking the field defensively Saturday. Smith will likely spend most of his time in left field during Grapefruit League action, as the Mets feel the stress fracture he suffered in his foot in 2019 was a result of moving back and forth between first base and the outfield. "This time, we want him to spend more time in left," manager Luis Rojas said Wednesday. "We'll gradually put him in the spot where he can start coming into games. Doing his drills and then he's gonna get to play on the field later." Over the last two seasons, Smith has posted a dynamic .299/.366/.571 slash line through 139 games with 21 homers, so finding a regular spot for him in the lineup will be a priority for the club in camp.
Feb 24 2021Smith (not injury related) arrived at spring training Wednesday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith's arrival at camp was slightly delayed due to a non-physical issue, but he'll join the team for workouts Wednesday. Even after his brief absence, Smith should have plenty of time to prepare for the regular season.
Feb 22 2021Smith missed the Mets' first day of full-squad workouts but is not dealing with any injury, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Several players around the league have faced slight delays while going through intake testing, though the Mets didn't confirm exactly why Smith wasn't available. Manager Luis Rojas said Monday that Smith should arrive by the end of the week, which should give him plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming season.
Jan 15 2021Smith signed a one-year, $2.55 million deal with the Mets on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old was arguably the Mets' best bat in 2020 with a .316/.377/.616 slash line, 10 homers, 21 doubles and 42 RBI in 199 plate appearances, and he's now officially under contract for 2021. Smith's major-league outlook was a question mark not too long ago, but he has a .937 OPS in 139 games over the past two seasons and enters spring training in position to begin the season in a starting role.
Sep 27 2020Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though Smith will finish the season with back-to-back benchings, the 2020 campaign was an unequivocal success for the 25-year-old. Unless he enters the contest as a pinch hitter, Smith will wrap up the season with a .316/.377/.616 slash line to go with 10 home runs and 42 RBI over 199 plate appearances.
Sep 26 2020Smith won't start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith crashed into the wall in left field during the first game of the twin bill, but he remained in the game after being examined by trainers. He'll be available off the bench for the nightcap, but he'll get a breather after the Mets were eliminated from postseason contention.
Sep 23 2020Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith blasted his homer to right field off Rays starter Tyler Glasnow in the fourth inning. The 25-year-old Smith is up to 10 homers, 42 RBI, 27 runs scored and a .314/.377/.615 slash line in 48 contests. He hit 11 homers in 89 games last season -- Smith has enjoyed a power surge in the abbreviated 2020 campaign.
Sep 20 2020Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-2 win over Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With the Mets clinging to a 3-2 lead, Smith led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a blast off Shane Greene, spurring a four-run rally that put the game out of reach. The 25-year-old slugger is putting the wraps on a breakout campaign, slashing .329/.392/.632 through 44 games with nine homers and 41 RBI, and his consistent production has been one of the reasons the Mets are still in the wild-card picture.
Sep 12 2020Smith went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, one walk and two strikeouts in Friday's win against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith took part in a 10-run rally during the fourth inning Friday by smashing a grand slam with no outs. The 25-year-old has been dominant at the plate in 2020, slashing .331/.397/.654 with 25 extra-base hits and 36 RBI, all of which are the top marks of his career.
Sep 8 2020Smith will hit the bench Tuesday against lefty John Means and the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Thanks to his excellent .322/.390/.636 season slash line, Smith is emerging as a near-everyday player for the Mets, starting against six of the last seven lefties the team had faced prior to Tuesday's contest. Pete Alonso will be the first baseman Tuesday, with Jeff McNeil starting in left field.
Sep 6 2020Smith went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI, two runs and one strikeout in Sunday's win against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has been dominant at the plate this season, and he took part in the Mets' 14-run explosion Sunday with three doubles. He has a 1.043 OPS with 22 extra-base hits and 31 RBI in 2020.
Sep 2 2020Smith is not starting Wednesday against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The deadline-day acquisition of Todd Frazier could cut into Smith's playing time, as it adds another player who's limited to corner positions and the designated hitter spot. Frazier starts at third base Wednesday, with Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis starting at left field and designated hitter, leaving no room for Smith. With a .313/.389/.656 slash line on the season, however, Smith should remain a heavy part of the rotation going forward.
Aug 20 2020Smith went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored as he helped the Mets to a 5-3 win over the Marlins on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith has been on an absolute tear over the last two weeks as the young slugger has registered at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games. Smith is currently tied for second in MLB this season with 10 doubles while his 21 RBI are currently good for sixth as he is one of the hottest hitters in baseball at the moment.
Aug 15 2020Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Mets only managed six hits on the night, and the four not off Smith's bat were only singles. The 25-year-old is emerging as the slugger his scouting reports always said he could become, and he's now gone yard in four straight games, giving him six homers and 16 RBI through 16 contests this year.
Aug 13 2020Smith went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, double and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It marked the second day in a row in which Smith belted a double and a homer. Smith has been seeing consistent playing time with Yoenis Cespedes opting out of the season, and the lefty swinger now has his OPS up to a stellar 1.020 following Thursday's win. Look for Smith to continue to get consistent at-bats against right-handed pitching.
Aug 12 2020Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, an additional run scored and three total RBI in Wednesday's 11-6 win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This was Smith's first multi-hit game of the season, though his OPS is suddenly up to .942 on the strength of seven extra-base hits (three homers) and five walks. He was not seeing a ton of time early on, but Smith has been playing nearly every day between first base and DH since Yoenis Cespedes opted out, playing time rightly earned with his performance at the plate over the past couple seasons.
Aug 10 2020Smith is not in the lineup Monday against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith started against just two of the first eight lefties the Mets have faced this season, so it shouldn't be a surprise to see him on the bench in this one against Patrick Corbin. Brian Dozier will be the designated hitter in his absence.
Aug 8 2020Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Getting the start at first base while Pete Alonso got a bit of a breather as the DH, Smith took Humberto Mejia deep in the second inning, but it was the only run the Mets could muster against the 23-year-old in his big-league debut. Smith has started five of the last six games in the wake of Yoenis Cespedes' decision to opt out of the rest of the campaign, and on the season he's slashing .227/.345/.545 with two homers and eight RBI.
Aug 6 2020Smith went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Getting a start for the fourth time in the last five games, the 25-year-old delivered his first two-bagger of the season and upped his RBI total to seven in eight games. Now that Yoenis Cespedes is out of the picture, Smith may be the preferred option in left field for manager Luis Rojas once the rest of the roster is healthy again, with J.D. Davis slotting in at designated hitter. For Wednesday's contest, however, Davis was needed at third base in place of Jeff McNeil (back), putting Billy Hamilton in the outfield and Smith at DH.
Aug 2 2020Smith should step into an increased role after Yoenis Cespedes opted out of the 2020 season Sunday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith received the start in left field Sunday and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts, and he should be in the lineup more going forward with Cespedes opting out. Smith appeared in 89 games last season and had somewhat of a breakout year with a .282/.355/.525 slash line and 11 home runs, but he entered 2020 as the odd man out for playing time. Most of his time figures to come as the designated hitter since he remains subpar defensively at first base and in the outfield.
Jul 27 2020Smith went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's 7-4 win over the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith's long ball came against Red Sox reliever Jeffrey Springs in the fourth inning, extending the Mets' lead to 7-0. Monday marked Smith's first start of the season -- he's behind Yoenis Cespedes for starts at designated hitter to begin the 2020 campaign.
Jul 13 2020Smith could serve as the Mets' designated hitter in 2020, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith's roster spot was in jeopardy in the spring, but he could benefit from both the universal designated hitter and the expanded 30-man roster to secure a spot on the Mets' roster. The team has a flurry of candidates to serve as the designated hitter, including Yoenis Cespedes and Matt Adams, among others. Smith appeared in 89 games for the Mets last season, slashing .282/.355/.525 with 11 home runs and 25 RBI.
Mar 20 2020Smith could be squeezed off the Mets' 26-man roster if the delayed start to the regular season allows both Yoenis Cespedes (ankle) and Jed Lowrie (knee) to avoid the injured list. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: When spring training started, Smith's bench spot seemed secure even after the offseason addition of Matt Adams, as both injured veterans seemed unlikely to be ready to play by the end of March. With Opening Day now pushed off into the future, however, Cespedes and Lowrie could get enough recovery time, giving the club some tough decisions. For his part, Smith wasn't doing much in camp to force his way onto the roster -- he'd gone 3-for-28 (.107) with zero extra-base hits and a 1:8 BB:K when the Grapefruit League schedule was put on pause.
Sep 29 2019Smith went 1-for-1 with a three-run homer in Sunday's 7-6 win over Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith entered the game as a defensive replacement for Pete Alonso in the top of the 11th inning and ended the game with a three-run blast in the bottom of the frame. It was his first at-bat since July 26. He ends the 2019 campaign with 11 homers, 25 RBI and a .881 OPS over 197 plate appearances.
Sep 26 2019Smith (foot) was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith will join the Mets for the final four games of the season after missing two months with a stress reaction in his left foot. Prior to landing on the shelf, the 24-year-old hit .278 with 10 home runs and an .858 OPS through 88 games. Jeff McNeil (wrist) was shifted to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. According to Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record, manager Mickey Callaway said Smith will likely serve as a bench option.
Sep 25 2019Manager Mickey Callaway said Smith (foot) could be activated from the injured list Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith went through a workout on the field Wednesday, which included hitting and running the bases. If he's still feeling good Thursday, it sounds like the 24-year-old could be cleared to return for the final four games of the season. He's been sidelined since the end of July with a stress reaction in his left foot.
Sep 23 2019Smith (foot) hit against live pitching Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Smith hadn't faced live pitching since suffering a stress fracture in his foot in late July. He'll be eligible to return Wednesday and appears to have a chance to do so if a follow-up CT scan that day yields good news. The Mets may want him to make a handful of at-bats over the final few games even if they're eliminated from playoff contention by that point.
Sep 12 2019Smith (foot) hopes to be ready to be activated when first eligible Sept. 25, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He took a big step in his recovery Wednesday running and hitting off a tee for the first time since suffering a stress fracture in his left foot in July. It will be all about whether Smith can work his way into game shape over the next two weeks. At best, he would be available for the final five games of the regular season.
Sep 7 2019Smith (foot) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: As a result of this move, Smith is not eligible to return until Sept. 25. He was cleared for some baseball activities in late August but is far from a lock to play during that final week of the regular season.
Aug 29 2019Smith (foot) has been cleared to begin some baseball activities, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Aug 13 2019Smith (foot) is scheduled for a doctor's appointment in a few weeks, at which point he's hopeful to shed his walking boot, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Jul 31 2019Smith was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot and will remain in a walking boot for a few weeks, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.
Jul 28 2019Smith (foot) will undergo a CT scan Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Jul 28 2019Smith (foot) will undergo a CT scan Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 27 2019Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a stress reaction in his left foot.
Jul 27 2019Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list<\/a> Saturday with a stress reaction in his left foot.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 27 2019Smith was placed<\/a> on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a stress reaction in his left foot.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 25 2019Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 21 2019Smith went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Giants.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 18 2019Smith is not starting Thursday against the Giants, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 18 2019Smith went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Wednesday's rout of the Twins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 17 2019Smith is not in Wednesday's lineup<\/a> against the Twins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 12 2019Smith is not starting Friday against lefty Caleb Smith and the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 2 2019Smith isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 30 2019Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves, Tim Healey of Newsday<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 29 2019Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in the Mets' 5-4 loss Saturday against the Braves.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 29 2019Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in a 5-4 loss to the Braves on Saturday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 27 2019Smith will start in left field and bat fifth Thursday against the Phillies, Tim Healey of Newsday<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 26 2019Smith went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, walk, stolen base and two runs scored Thursday against the Phillies.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 26 2019Smith went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Phillies.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 25 2019Smith went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Monday's loss to the Phillies.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 9 2019Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Tim Healey of Newsday<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 7 2019Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Giants.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 6 2019Smith (thumb) will start in left field and bat second Thursday against the Giants, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 4 2019Smith will sit with a sprained right thumb Tuesday against the Giants, Mike Mazzeo of Yahoo Sports<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 4 2019Smith will sit with a sprained right thumb Tuesday against the Giants, source<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 2 2019Smith was scratched from Sunday's lineup at Arizona with right thumb soreness, Tim Healey of Newsday<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 2 2019Updating an earlier report, Smith is dealing with a hyperextended thumb, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 2 2019Smith (thumb) will have an MRI after hurting himself on a backswing in Saturday's contest against Arizona, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 1 2019Smith went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Diamondbacks.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 30 2019Smith went 3-for-5 with a home run and another two runs scored in Wednesday's 9-8 loss at Dodger Stadium.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 27 2019Smith got the start at first base and hit second in Sunday's win over the Tigers, going 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 22 2019Smith could see some time in the outfield going forward, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 16 2019Smith will start at first base and bat second<\/a> Thursday against the Nationals.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 14 2019Smith went 1-for-1 with a home run Tuesday against the Nationals.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 9 2019Smith was recalled<\/a> from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 20 2018Smith was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.Smith was out of the lineup for the Mets' final four games prior to the All-Star break, so it's unsurprising to see him return to the 51s with Yoenis Cespedes (hip) returning from the disabled list. The 23-year-old has a .260/.343/.370 slash line with only two home runs in 56 games for Las Vegas this season.
Jul 15 2018Smith is out of the lineup Sunday against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.Smith is on the bench for the third consecutive contest and has started just six times in 17 games. The Mets seem satisfied with deploying Wilmer Flores as their starting first baseman and Michael Conforto and Jose Bautista as their corner outfielders, leaving limited opportunities for Smith to crack the lineup. Playing time will only become harder to come by for the 23-year-old when Yoenis Cespedes (hip) and Jay Bruce (hip) return from the 10-day disabled list at some point after the All-Star break.
Jul 3 2018Smith (wrist) will start at first base and bat seventh against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.Smith had been kept out of the starting nine for the past few games while dealing with a sore wrist, though he was able to pinch hit during Sunday's tilt. Across 18 games with the Mets this year, he's hit .217/.250/.391 with one home run and one RBI.
Jul 1 2018Smith, who remains out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins, is expected back Tuesday or Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith hasn't seen the starting lineup since Tuesday, and Mets fans were first given an explanation for his absence Saturday. The team has a day off Monday, but expects Smith to be back in action prior to the upcoming two-game set in Toronto. The 23-year-old owns a .670 OPS since his early-June promotion.
Jun 30 2018Smith's absence from the last two starting lineups was due to a sore right wrist, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.Smith's injury doesn't appear to be serious, though it's unclear if he'd deserve a spot in the starting lineup when healthy. Through 17 games, he's hitting just .222/.255/.400, with miserable strikeout (36.2 percent) and walk (2.1 percent) rates. Still, the struggling Mets have little reason not to give him the opportunity to prove whether or not he's a part of their core moving forward, so expect him in the lineup on a fairly frequent basis.
Jun 29 2018Smith is not in the lineup against the Marlins on Friday.Smith will remain on the bench for a second straight game as Jose Bautista draws another start in the outfield during the first contest of the Mets' mini road trip. Over 14 games in June, Smith has hit .233 with a .685 OPS while striking out 16 times.
Jun 27 2018Smith is not starting Wednesday against the Pirates, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith is hitting an unimpressive .233/.267/.419 in his latest 14-game stint with the Mets. Michael Conforto will slide over to left field Wednesday, with Brandon Nimmo starting in center.
Jun 23 2018Smith is not in the lineup Saturday against the left-handed Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith has started against every righty but zero lefties since getting called up June 12. Wilmer Flores will again start at first base, with Brandon Nimmo and Jose Bautista handling the outfield corners.
Jun 22 2018Smith is not in the lineup against the Dodgers on Friday.Smith will remain on the bench for a second straight game with southpaw Alex Wood on the hill for Los Angeles. In his place, Wilmer Flores will get another start at first base.
Jun 21 2018Smith is out of the lineup against Colorado on Thursday.With left-hander Kyle Freeland taking the mound for the Rockies, Smith will grab a seat on the pine during the series finale in favor of Wilmer Flores at first base and Jose Bautista in left field. Over 10 games with the Mets this year, Smith is hitting .250 with a .776 OPS.
Jun 21 2018Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and two runs scored in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies.Making another start in left field, the 23-year-old took full advantage of the thin air at Coors Field to put together his first three-hit game, and his first with multiple extra-base hits, in the majors. Smith has a .250/.276/.500 slash line through 10 games since his promotion, and his spot in the starting lineup -- whether at first base or in a corner outfield spot -- seems secure for now.
Jun 19 2018Smith is starting in left field and hitting fifth Tuesday against the Rockies.With Jay Bruce (hip) and Yoenis Cespedes (hip) both on the shelf, Smith will make his first career big-league start in the outfield. The youngster saw some time at the corner outfield spots with Triple-A Las Vegas, and he could continue to see some starts in the outfield until either Bruce or Cespedes returns. Smith is hitting .211/.250/.421 across eight games with the Mets this season.
Jun 18 2018Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.Smith will find his usual seat on the bench with a southpaw (Tyler Anderson) toeing the rubber for the opposition Monday. In his stead, Wilmer Flores will start at first base and hit cleanup.
Jun 16 2018Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.They were his first big-league extra-base hits of the year, and Smith now has a strong .308/.357/.615 slash line in five games since his promotion. The Mets will give the 23-year-old every chance to establish himself at first base, but if he struggles, top prospect Peter Alonso -- who just got promoted to Triple-A -- is looming behind him.
Jun 12 2018Smith was called up as expected Tuesday and will bat seventh against the Braves, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic New York reports.The Mets finally removed the obstacle in front of Smith, releasing Adrian Gonzalez on Sunday. Smith didn't do a whole lot in the minors to suggest he'll be a great fantasy option, though, hitting an uninspiring .260/.343/.370 despite playing in a hitter's paradise at Triple-A Las Vegas. The job may not his for long, as Peter Alonso is crushing the ball to the tune of a .310/.441/.567 line for Double-A Binghamton.
Jun 10 2018Smith will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.Smith is set to join the major-league squad after hitting .262 with two homers and 25 RBI at Triple-A through 55 games this season. He figures to see playing time at first base after the Mets released Adrian Gonzalez on Sunday.
May 21 2018Smith will play some right field for Triple-A Las Vegas, David Lennon of Newsday reports.The move seems to be more about who's behind Smith than who's in front of him. Right fielder Jay Bruce is likely to be a bigger roadblock than first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, but Smith no longer looks like the top first baseman in the Mets' system with Peter Alonso crushing the ball to the tune of a .355/.486/.659 line for Double-A Binghamton. Trying Smith out in right field suggests that the Mets now view his likely role as a bench bat who starts occasionally at first base and corner outfield.
May 11 2018Smith was called up to the majors Friday.As expected, Smith is up to replace Jay Bruce, who heads to the paternity list. Whether he'll just be up over the weekend while Bruce is gone or if he'll be up for good is not yet clear. He's hitting .278/.390/.417 in 31 games for Triple-A Las Vegas so far this season.
Apr 15 2018Smith (quad) is 8-for-30 (.267) with two home runs, four doubles, and six RBI over eight games since beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Apr. 5.Smith posted a .905 OPS over 114 games with Las Vegas a year ago, and he has fared even better there early in 2018. The Mets can stash him on the disabled list for more than another week, but unless they are ready to pull the plug on Adrian Gonzalez just a month into the season, it seems likely he will remain with Las Vegas when activated in order to get regular at-bats.
Apr 3 2018Smith (quadriceps) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.Smith started the season on the disabled list after straining his right quad in spring training and is expected to play five innings for Las Vegas. The 22-year-old will likely need to make at least a few appearances to work his way into full game readiness, but he still appears on track for a mid-April return from the DL, although remaining in Triple-A once healthy is a possibility.
Apr 1 2018Smith (quadriceps) will travel to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.Smith opened the year on the DL due to a strained right quad, but is now back with the team and should be able to take regular at-bats soon. The young first baseman has a lot of work to do, but is expected to eventually be up with the big league club to compete with Adrian Gonzalez and Wilmer Flores for reps.
Mar 29 2018Smith (quadriceps) was placed on the 10-day DL on Thursday.Aside from being able to slot him into a DL spot in certain formats, this isn't actionable, as Smith was expected to be optioned to Triple-A to start the season if he was healthy. Adrian Gonzalez started at first base on Opening Day and Wilmer Flores is expected to split duties there for the foreseeable future. Once Smith gets healthy he will need to impress the organization on and off the field at Triple-A in order to be recalled to the big leagues.
Mar 26 2018Smith (quad) will remain in extended spring training at the start of the season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith has been limited to just one game this spring while battling a quad strain. He'll spend some time in extended spring and then presumably at Triple-A Las Vegas before pushing for a return to the big leagues. It's a disappointing start to the year for the 22-year-old, who was expected to have a good chance to open as the Mets' starting first baseman. He'll still have a chance to take over that role at some point this season, as Adrian Gonzalez shouldn't be too difficult to displace, but he'll need to prove that he's healthy and effective before that happens.
Mar 20 2018Smith (quad) is unlikely to return to game action this spring, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith strained his quad in late February and is still unable to run. He'll start in the minor leagues and try to get up to speed there. With strong performances at Triple-A, he could be back with the Mets before long, as the 35-year-old Adrian Gonzalez is unlikely to provide a major obstacle.
Mar 17 2018Smith (quad) still has enough discomfort to prevent him from running, and is unsure if he will be able to play in a game before the end of spring training, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.He essentially has no chance to break camp in the big leagues, so look for him to spend the first month or two of the season knocking any rust off and working on improving his conditioning at Triple-A. Adrian Gonzalez will start at first base for the Mets against righties, while Wilmer Flores and Todd Frazier also serve as options there early in the season.
Mar 17 2018Smith (quad) still has enough discomfort to prevent him from running and is unsure if he will be able to play in a game before the end of spring training, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.He essentially has no chance to break camp in the big leagues, so look for him to spend the first month or two of the season knocking any rust off and working on improving his conditioning at Triple-A. Adrian Gonzalez will start at first base for the Mets against righties, while Wilmer Flores and Todd Frazier also serve as options there early in the season.
Mar 11 2018Smith (quad) is now expected to begin the season in the minors, Kristie Ackert of The New York Daily News reports.The Mets brought in veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to push Smith and motivate him, but instead the 22-year-old prospect has effectively taken himself out of the running with his inability to get healthy this spring. "He hadn't been competing, so no, really not a competition right now," manager Mickey Callaway said Saturday. Smith still figures in the organization's long-term plans, but even if he's 100 percent by Opening Day it looks like he'll need to regroup down at Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the season before getting another chance in the majors.
Mar 9 2018Smith (quadriceps) is scheduled to return to Grapefruit League action against the Astros on Sunday, Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports.Smith has been sidelined with a strained right quadriceps since Feb. 25, but he appears to be nearing full health after participating in batting drills over the past week. The first baseman has only been able to compete in one spring game thus far, registering just one at-bat, so these next couple weeks will be crucial in showing the organization that he deserves the starting gig at first base over Adrian Gonzalez.
Mar 9 2018Smith (quadriceps) will have a tough time getting up to speed by Opening Day, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.Smith has been out with a strained right quadriceps since February 25th, but has been jogging and taking batting practice and appears ready to take the field again soon. Contrary to previous reports, he's still considered day-to-day and won't necessarily be ready to go by Sunday. If he's not fully healthy by Opening Day, Adrian Gonzalez will win the first base battle by default, though Smith could still become the primary starter at some point later in the season.
Mar 6 2018Smith (quadriceps) has been swinging freely since Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.The first base prospect got through a full batting practice session Tuesday without issue, so it seems like he's nearing a return to game action. No word has come forth as to exactly when he'll re-enter Grapefruit League action, but more information should emerge as he ramps up his activity even further.
Mar 4 2018Smith (quad) is scheduled to take batting practice Sunday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.Smith resumed jogging three days ago for the first time since the injury, and hitting the cages is a step in the right direction. Though he's expected to take a back seat to Adrian Gonzalez in the first base battle, Smith could certainly help his case for reps with an early return to game action.
Mar 1 2018Smith was able to jog for the first time since suffering a strained right quadriceps last weekend, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.Following his jog, Smith said that he was doing well and that there was no setback to his initial injury. The Mets released a typical medical update Thursday which stated a "gradual return to baseball activity" for Smith. He will remain sidelined for the time being as Adrian Gonzalez figures to continue seeing reps at first base.
Feb 26 2018Smith (quadriceps) had an MRI which revealed no issues Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith had strained his quadriceps Sunday, but appears to have not done serious harm. He is considered day-to-day. It's doubtful that this injury will have long-term effects, but any lost spring training at-bats could hurt him in his battle with Adrian Gonzalez for early-season playing time at first base.
Feb 25 2018The Mets announced that Smith is dealing with a strained right quadriceps and will require an MRI on Monday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.Smith was already off to a poor start to the spring after he was scratched from the Mets' Grapefruit League opener due to tardiness, and the injury only further hurts his hopes of inching ahead of Adrian Gonzalez in their competition for the Opening Day first-base gig. The MRI should shed more light on the severity of Smith's injury, but it seems likely that he'll miss at least a few more Grapefruit League games, at the very least.
Feb 23 2018Smith has been removed from the starting lineup Friday as a punishment for arriving late, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.It's not a great sign for Smith, who is tabbed as the Mets' first baseman of the future. After a poor debut in 2017, where he hit .198/.262/.395 in 49 games, the Mets indicated their lack of faith in him by bringing in veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. While it would be wrong to read too much into one incident, Smith is already fighting the perception that he's not a very hard worker, and this just reinforces the idea that the team isn't very happy with him. This event could be a small blow to Smith in his battle to win the starting job out of camp, though if he hits better than Gonzalez this spring, the job should still be his.
Feb 12 2018Smith said last week that he now checks in at 224 pounds, about 30 less than he weighed at the end of the 2017 season, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports. "I feel more athletic than I've ever been," Smith said. "In spring training, I've always looked the part, but as far as my mobility and loosening up some hips and being more flexible, more agile as an athlete, I feel like this is the most advanced I've been for sure in my career."After slashing a disappointing .198/.262/.395 across 183 plate appearances for the Mets upon being promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas last August, Smith may have felt some pressure to transform his body with the organization giving him no assurances that he would open the 2018 campaign in the big leagues. The 22-year-old is slated to battle veteran Adrian Gonzalez for the everyday first base gig during the spring and would likely report to Las Vegas if he fails to win the starting job.
Nov 14 2017Smith will have to compete for the Mets' starting job at first base in spring training, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. "He didn't win it in September, let's put it that way," general manager Sandy Alderson said.This is an odd thing to say about a cornerstone player who was just getting his feet wet in the majors at the end of last season as a 22-year-old. He hit .220/.304/.450 with six home runs and a 30.4 percent strikeout rate in 100 at-bats from Sept. 1 through Oct. 1. It is understandable that the Mets want to find at-bats for Wilmer Flores, who is coming off a year when he slashed .271/.307/.488 with 18 home runs in 362 plate appearances, but third base and second base seem like better places to try to work him in. As Puma went on to say, this could be a motivational tactic aimed at getting Smith to show up to camp in great shape. He is still the clear leading candidate to open the year as the Mets' starting first baseman, but we now know that he is not a lock to open the year in that role.
Sep 27 2017Smith is not in the lineup against the Braves on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.Smith will head to the bench after going 0-for-3 with a walk during Tuesday's affair, in favor of Kevin Plawecki, who will man first base during the series finale. Over the last 10 games, Smith is hitting just .086/.135/.086 with three singles and 14 strikeouts.
Sep 13 2017Smith is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.Smith heads to the bench following 11 straight starts, hitting .262/.326/.476 with two home runs and eight RBI during that span. In his place, Matt Reynolds gets the nod at first base.
Sep 10 2017Smith went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and an RBI single Sunday in the Mets' 10-5 loss to the Reds.It was the rookie's second homer of the month and fifth since his debut, and Smith is riding a five-game hit streak. The accompanying numbers, however, aren't pretty, as he's .210/.257/.390 in his first taste of big-league action. His leash will remain long as the Mets let him adjust to a full-time big-league role he'll occupy to start next season.
Sep 2 2017Smith went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run during Saturday's loss to Houston.Smith went 3-for-25 with three singles through seven games since his last homer, and even with Saturday's long fly, the 22-year-old first baseman still owns a discouraging .183/.213/.366 slash line through 75 plate appearances in the majors. While his long-term upside remains high, Smith probably shouldn't be counted on in many seasonal settings at this stage of the game.
Aug 26 2017Smith is not in the lineup Saturday against the Nationals, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.Since being called up to the Show on Aug. 10, Smith has played in 15 games. In that time he's gone just 9-for-52 (.184) at the plate. However, three of his nine hits have been home runs. Smith will sit out Saturday and give way to Wilmer Flores at first base.
Aug 24 2017Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He also struck out twice.It was a three-true-outcomes day for the rookie, who's still looking to stabilize his stats -- he's hitting just .190/.227/.429 through his first 44 big-league plate appearances. Smith hit for average reliably in the minors, though (including a .330 mark at Triple-A this year), so his future in that category looks bright, and his power has been developing steadily. He may not be a major fantasy asset this year, but the 22-year-old could start producing Eric Hosmer-esque stats as soon as next season.
Aug 22 2017Smith is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.Smith is hitting just .158 (6-for-38) since being recalled from Triple-A, so he'll get the day off to clear his head after starting 11 of the last 12 games. Wilmer Flores will slide over to first base in his stead, pushing Asdrubal Cabrera over to third base while Gavin Cecchini starts at the keystone.
Aug 20 2017Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored during Saturday's win over Miami.The rookie is now 5-for-29 (.172 batting average) with two homers, three RBI and a .579 OPS since being promoted from the minors. Smith should continue to see regular playing time and offers admirable upside after posting a .330/.386/.519 slash line with Triple-A Las Vegas this year. However, it's still probably a little early to look his way in the majority of seasonal settings.
Aug 18 2017Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's series opener against Miami.Smith will get a breather following seven straight starts to his major-league career. During his first week of action, the first baseman went 4-for-25 from the plate, adding one home run and a pair of RBI. In his place, Wilmer Flores draws the start at first.
Aug 16 2017Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees.His seventh-inning shot off Sonny Gray, the first big-league homer of Smith's short career, ended the right-hander's night and kicked off a late but futile rally by the Mets. The 22-year-old has now hit safely in four of five games since being called up, and he should remain entrenched at first base over the final weeks of 2017 for the rebuilding squad.
Aug 12 2017Smith went 1-for-3 in Friday's win over the Phillies.He was removed as part of a double-switch in the sixth inning, but overall it was a successful big-league debut for Smith. The sweet-swinging lefty is still only 22 years old, and while his power stroke has begun to emerge over the last two seasons in the high minors, he's more likely to be a contributor in batting average in his first taste of the majors.
Aug 11 2017Smith will make his big league debut Friday against the Phillies.Smith, a 22-year-old first baseman, is considered one of the top prospects in the Mets' system and will get his first chance tonight to show his power against major league pitching. He has 16 home runs and is slashing .330/.386/.519 this season with Triple-A Las Vegas, so it was only a matter of time until he got his chance with the big league squad. He'll be batting sixth in the lineup Friday, but will have the chance to move up in the lineup if he can show the pop in his bat he's been displaying throughout the minors.
Aug 10 2017Smith was recalled by the Mets on Thursday.The club designated reliever Fernando Salas for assignment in order to clear room on both the 25 and 40-man rosters for Smith. The 22-year-old first base prospect is considered one of the gems of the Mets organization and has shown excellent pop from the left side of the plate with 16 home runs and 52 total extra-base hits at Triple-A Las Vegas this season. Now that Smith is up with the Mets, the club has shown a dedication to a youth movement in the second half of the season with Amed Rosario seeing regular playing time at shortstop.
Aug 10 2017Smith will be called up by the Mets prior to Friday's game against the Phillies, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports.Smith has been knocking on the door of his major-league debut for quite some time now, and with Lucas Duda and Jay Bruce on other clubs, the number two prospect in New York's system will finally get his opportunity. In 114 games with Triple-A Las Vegas this season, Smith is hitting .330/.386/.519 with an OPS of .905. Additionally, he's swatted 16 home runs and plated 76 runners while providing a viable glove at first base. He will be plugged into the lineup for Friday's contest upon his arrival, and is likely to maintain an everyday role with the Mets throughout the rest of the season.
Aug 1 2017Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday that Smith is "not far" from earning a promotion to the big leagues, Tyler Kepner of The New York Times reports.The writing has been on the wall for Smith's promotion since everyday first baseman Lucas Duda was traded to the Rays last week, and the Mets' decision to promote top prospect Amed Rosario to the majors Tuesday may open the floodgates for further callups in the near future. Even after accounting for the tremendously hitter-friendly environment at Las Vegas, Smith's .340/.394/.534 slash line still stands out, so he certainly seems ready for his first trial with the Mets. Once his promotion eventually comes, Smith will likely occupy an everyday role at first base, resulting in the hot-hitting Wilmer Flores either moving across the diamond or settling into a bench role.
Jul 28 2017Smith was not in the lineup Thursday at Triple-A Las Vegas, and he's expected to be called up soon, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.The first baseman is set to take his place on the major-league club following the Thursday trade of Lucas Duda to the Rays. Despite his crisp climb through the ranks, Smith has nothing left to prove at the highest minors level after compiling a .337/.390/.524 line with 15 homers, 68 RBI and 72 runs scored across 449 plate appearances this year. Fantasy owners who still can grab him should do so as soon as possible.
Jul 4 2017Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and four RBI for Triple-A Las Vegas in Monday's loss to Salt Lake.The sweet-swinging lefty's now hit safely in 19 straight games for the 51s, pushing his slash line on the season to .325/.380/.485. Smith remains the Mets' first baseman of the future, a future which could begin as soon as 2018.
Jun 16 2017Smith, 22, is hitting .316/.367/.463 with seven home runs and 41 RBI through 67 games for Triple-A Las Vegas.Smith has hit over .300 in each of the past three seasons in the minors, though he does not have standout power for a first baseman. With Lucas Duda currently jacking dingers at the big league level, Smith will remain at Triple-A for the time being. That being said, Duda will be a free agent after this season, so Smith could end up as the starting first baseman for the Mets as early as the beginning of 2018.