Smoker has been released by the Dodgers, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Smoker was cut loose from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, along with outfielder Ezequiel Carerra. He had been a non-roster invitee to spring training and posted a 9.00 ERA with an 11:9 K:BB over 14 innings prior to the move.
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Dodgers' Josh Smoker: Invited to Dodgers camp
Rotowire
Smoker will join the Dodgers' big-league training camp after signing a minor-league deal with the team Friday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The 30-year-old lefty has thrown 79 career major-league innings, posting an unimpressive 5.35 ERA. He gave up seven runs in 7.1 innings while recording a 4:7 K:BB last season with the Pirates and Tigers.
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Josh Smoker: Let go by Detroit
Rotowire
Smoker was released by the Tigers on Thursday.
Smoker was demoted to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday after appearing in just one game for the Tigers. He's spent time with both Pittsburgh and Detroit in 2018, accruing an 8.59 ERA and 2.45 WHIP with four strikeouts over 7.1 innings. Smoker will look to latch on with another team following his release.
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Tigers' Josh Smoker: Shipped to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smoker was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Thursday's game against the Yankees.
Smoker made one appearance since being promoted to the big leagues Sunday, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings while walking two and striking out two. The Tigers are expected to announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's matchup.
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Tigers' Josh Smoker: Moves up to big club
Rotowire
The Tigers recalled Smoker from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.
Detroit picked up Smoker in late July in a waiver claim and immediately optioned him to Toledo, where he tallied a 3.86 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in nine appearances before earning a callup. He'll likely work in a middle-relief role initially with Detroit, but could work his way up the bullpen depth chart quickly if he's able to avoid blowup outings.
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Tigers' Josh Smoker: Claimed by Tigers
Rotowire
Smoker was picked up off waivers by the Tigers, and he'll be optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.
Smoker was recently designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after appearing in seven games out of the bullpen this season, allowing seven runs over 5.2 innings. Detroit has bumped Warwick Saupold from the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.
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Pirates' Josh Smoker: Designated for assignment
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Smoker was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Smoker was cast off the 40-man roster in order to make room for Casey Sadler, who was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Max Moroff was optioned to the minors. Across seven appearances with the Pirates this year, Smoker posted an unsightly 11.12 ERA and 2.82 WHIP over 5.2 innings of relief. He will be subject to waivers and could join a new organization if claimed or traded within the next week.
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Pirates' Josh Smoker: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smoker was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Smoker allowed three runs on two hits in two appearances since being recalled Wednesday, and will return to Triple-A in favor of a fresh arm. The 29-year-old has a 2.59 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 31.1 innings for Indianapolis this season.
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Pirates' Josh Smoker: Called up to majors
Rotowire
Smoker was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
The lefty allowed four runs in four innings without getting a single strikeout in a previous stint with the Pirates this season. At the Triple-A level, he's thrown 31.1 innings with a solid 2.59 ERA.
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Pirates' Josh Smoker: Moves to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smoker was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
The southpaw made five appearances for the Pirates on the young season, but he was shelled in his most recent appearance, allowing four runs in 1.1 frames Wednesday. He'll head back to the minors with Clay Holmes to allow fresh arms to play in Pittsburgh. Smoker's big-league experience could have him returned to the big leagues soon, but for now, he'll be relegated to the Triple-A bullpen.
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Pirates' Josh Smoker: Makes Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Smoker will begin the season as part of Pittsburgh's bullpen, The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.
The lefty, who compiled a 3.97 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11.1 spring innings, is a benefactor of the team's decision to start 2018 with 13 pitchers. While Smoker has a chance to establish himself in a developing bullpen, the leash will likely be short if he struggles. The Mets designated Smoker for assignment in January after he registered a 5.11 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 56.1 innings.
Pirates' Josh Smoker: Searching for better control
Rotowire
Smoker is looking to rebuild his career after coming to Pittsburgh in an offseason trade, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
One of four left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster, Smoker compiled a 10.86 K/9 with the Mets in 2017 (in 56.1 innings). He walked 32 batters, however, finishing with a 5.11 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. The 29-year-old has totaled only 191.2 innings since 2012 due to injury and will need to show improved control to contend for a spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen.
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Pirates' Josh Smoker: Dealt to Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Smoker was traded to the Pirates on Wednesday in exchange for Daniel Zamora and cash considerations.
Smoker was recently designated for assignment by the Mets, and will join a new organization for this upcoming season. In 2017, he appeared in 54 games, accruing a 5.11 ERA and 68:32 K:BB in 56.1 innings of relief. The 29-year-old right-hander may begin the year in Triple-A.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Smoker was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smoker wound up being the casualty after the club's recent re-signing of infielder Jose Reyes. During the 2017 season, the reliever posted a 5.11 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over 56.1 innings. He will serve as organizational depth moving forward as long as he passes through waivers, and could spend some time in a low-leverage role in 2018 if he makes it back to the majors.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Bounces back in second half
Rotowire
Smoker has earned a 5.43 ERA across 53 innings this season with the Mets.
Despite an ugly 7.45 ERA in the first half of the season, Smoker has bounced back with a 3.00 ERA since the All-Star break. After dealing with a nagging elbow injury throughout June and July, the 28-year-old finally appears healthy. He's near the middle of the pack in a struggling bullpen, however he has the potential to pitch some key innings in the final games of the season.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Activated on Thursday
Rotowire
The Mets activated Smoker (elbow) from the 10-day disabled list Thursday.
The left-hander will assume a decent setup role, considering he's punched out 36 in 29 frames. The 7.45 ERA hides Smoker's decent skills that should keep him in at least moderate-leverage situations.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: To be activated Thursday
Rotowire
Smoker (elbow) is with the club and should be activated before Thursday's game, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.
Tests recently revealed Smoker is dealing with loose bodies in his elbow, but apparently he's well enough to return to action. The left-hander holds a 7.45 ERA but should be a welcome addition to the bullpen because of his 36 strikeouts in 29 frames.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Dealing with loose bodies in elbow
Rotowire
Smoker is apparently dealing with loose bodies in his elbow rather than a shoulder strain, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.
It was originally reported that Smoker strained his shoulder after tossing 81 pitches Tuesday, though further testing confirmed that was not the case. The Mets still didn't offer a timetable for his return, though they said he will be treated with anti-inflammatories and rest. Rafael Montero will continue to fill Smoker's spot in the bullpen while he's sidelined.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Gets shoulder strain following 81-pitch outing
Rotowire
Smoker was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
This comes on the heels of Smoker throwing a career-high 81 pitches in Tuesday's blowout (for reference, his previous career high was 48 offerings). Nothing has been explicitly said, but it's pretty likely that the high pitch count had something to do with the injury. It's unclear how long this ailment will sideline him, but Rafael Montero will fill his spot in the bullpen until he's back in commission.
