The Cincinnati Reds are set to sign first baseman Dominic Smith to a major league contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday afternoon.
Smith, who was recently with the Boston Red Sox, was designated for assignment on August 16 and released on August 20. The 29-year-old hitter became a fan favorite in Boston despite his brief stint there, but his departure was necessitated by Triston Casas’ return from the injured list.
In his 83 games with the Red Sox, Smith batted .237, with six home runs, 34 RBIs, a .706 OPS, and a 0.1 WAR.
Smith’s deal with Cincinnati is still subject to a physical examination, and a corresponding roster move has not yet been announced.
The Reds are looking for a seasoned bat due to Jeimer Candelario’s recent injury—he fractured his toe on Tuesday. Additionally, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who fractured his wrist in May, underwent what could be season-ending surgery in July.
With Ty France, a trade deadline acquisition, currently handling first base, batting .246 with a .762 OPS since joining Cincinnati, the team still needs a left-handed bat.
Smith, who has had a fluctuating 2024 season, is seen as a strong option for the Reds for the remainder of the season.
Smith had signed minor league deals with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason but opted out of both before joining the Red Sox in May.
In 2023, Smith played for the Washington Nationals, where he hit .254 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, a .692 OPS, and a 0.9 WAR over 153 games.
Smith began his career with the New York Mets, drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and remained with the Mets until 2022, even finishing 13th in NL MVP voting in 2020.
Over six seasons with New York, Smith averaged .246 with a .733 OPS, 17 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a 0.1 WAR per 162 games.