Cincinnati Reds Sign Dominic Smith Ahead of Series Opener Against Pirates

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds have bolstered their roster by signing veteran first baseman Dominic Smith on Thursday, just before their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Smith, who was released by the Boston Red Sox earlier this week, made an immediate impact by being included in the starting lineup, batting seventh in the opener of a four-game series. The 29-year-old Smith had a challenging stint with the Red Sox, where he recorded a .237 batting average with six home runs over 83 games. Throughout his eight-season career, Smith has maintained a .247 batting average and hit a total of 64 home runs. He was originally drafted by the New York Mets as a first-round pick in 2013 and has also played for the Washington Nationals in 2023. In a related move, the Reds placed outfielder Jake Fraley on the 10-day injured list due to a right knee sprain, further necessitating the addition of Smith to the lineup. The team is looking to navigate the challenges of the season while dealing with injuries to key players. Additionally, the Reds designated right-hander Brooks Kriske for assignment, who had been pitching at Triple-A Louisville. These roster changes reflect the team's ongoing efforts to strengthen their performance as they face the Pirates in this crucial series.