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
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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
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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: Moves up to big club
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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
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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
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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
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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: Searching for better control
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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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Mets' Josh Smoker: Designated for assignment
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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
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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: 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
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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
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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.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Could make spot start Saturday
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Smoker could make a spot start Saturday against the Pirates, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
With Tommy Milone unavailable to start due to a knee issue, Smoker is one of two candidates being considered to fill the void left in the rotation, the other being righty Rafael Montero. While Smoker has only pitched out of the bullpen for the Mets this season, he started a pair of games at Triple-A Las Vegas before being recalled. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out eight over 8.2 innings. A confirmation on the starter for Saturday should come within a couple days.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Recalled from Triple-A
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Smoker was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smoker posted a 1.04 ERA and 0.69 WHIP through 8.2 innings (two starts) with Las Vegas before being recalled to the big club. He'll work out of the bullpen, though he did struggle to a 7.88 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through 16 innings with the Mets earlier in the year, so he probably won't be trusted with too many high-leverage innings. Hansel Robles was sent back to Triple-A to make room on the roster for Smoker.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Heads back to minors
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Smoker was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smoker has struggled mightily as of late, posting a 13.50 ERA and 2.05 WHIP over his last seven appearances, and with Matt Harvey returning from his team-imposed suspension, he'll head back to the minors to work on his stuff. The 28-year-old reliever did get his ERA down to 2.45 earlier in the season, so if he finds success with the 51's, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him return to the majors relatively soon.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Comes up big in extra innings Thursday
Rotowire
Smoker threw three shutout innings of relief in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Marlins, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out five.
Entering the game in the 12th inning, Smoker breezed through his three frames, throwing 26 of 38 pitches for strikes as part of a heroic effort by the entire Mets' bullpen. The 28-year-old has had a rough start to the campaign, walking at least one batter in four straight appearances, but Thursday's outing lowered his ERA to 3.38 over 5.1 innings and may have signaled that the lefty with the 95 mph fastball has turned a corner.
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Mets' Josh Smoker: Struggles in relief Friday
Rotowire
Smoker coughed up two runs on three hits and two walks while recording just one out in Friday's loss to the Marlins.
The out did come via strikeout, but otherwise this was a brutal night for Smoker. The 28-year-old lefty has seen limited usage so far despite the strain the Mets bullpen has been under. Though Smoker has a mid-90s fastball, he'll need to become more reliable when his number gets called if he's going to carry much fantasy value.
