Smith Poised to Join Yankees After Strong Spring
Dominic Smith is about to experience both sides of New York baseball. The former Met is now projected to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
It’s quite the turnaround for Smith, who entered camp as a non-roster invitee with no guarantees. The 29-year-old has forced his way into the conversation by going 8-for-24 this spring with two homers.
Smith’s journey through the majors has been winding. After ranking as high as No. 2 in the Mets’ system as a prospect, he spent six seasons in Queens, appearing in 447 games. He’s bounced around since then, playing for the Nationals in 2023 before splitting last season between the Red Sox and Reds.
The lefty-swinging, lefty-throwing first baseman brings a career .246 batting average to the Bronx. What makes him valuable right now is his ability to serve as both a DH option while Giancarlo Stanton recovers from injury and occasional relief for Paul Goldschmidt at first base.
Smith is likely competing with Ben Rice for DH at-bats to start the season. Manager Aaron Boone has already expressed confidence in Smith’s abilities.
“The guy has been a really good hitter throughout his career, a pro hitter,” Boone said earlier this spring.
That professional approach at the plate seems to have earned Smith a spot on a Yankees team with championship aspirations. Now he’ll get the chance to experience the Subway Series from the other dugout – something few players get to do.
