Smoak signed a contract with the NPB's Yomiuri Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Smoak fits the profile common to many players who head overseas as a competent slugger but not necessarily one who hits well enough to justify a spot at the highest level given his defensive limitations. Coming off a disappointing short season in which he hit just .176/.250/.361 in 36 games for the Brewers and Giants, he'll try to re-establish his value in Japan, but at age 34, it's quite likely his MLB days are over.
... See More... See Less
Justin Smoak: Moves on from San Francisco
Rotowire
The Giants released Smoak on Wednesday.
Though Smoak wasn't picked up by another team after the Giants exposed him to waivers earlier in the week, the organization didn't have interest in keeping around in its 60-man roster pool with the regular season nearing its end. Smoak will wrap up a disappointing 2020 campaign with a .176/.250/.361 slash line across 132 plate appearances between the Brewers and Giants. The 33-year-old first baseman will likely have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter if he wants to keep his career going in 2021.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Justin Smoak: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Smoak was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Smoak joined the Giants' major-league roster less than two weeks ago, but he'll be designated for assignment by an organization for the second time this season. His removal from the 40-man roster makes room for Alex Dickerson (personal), who was activated from the paternity list in a corresponding move. He drew interest on the open market earlier in September, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him land a contract with another organization.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Justin Smoak: Lands in San Francisco
Rotowire
Smoak agreed to a minor-league contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Smoak had a number of clubs vying for his services after he was released by Milwaukee on Sunday, and he apparently decided that San Francisco was the best spot to continue his career. He'll likely report to the Giants' alternate site in Sacramento initially, but it may not be long before the 33-year-old gets another look at the big-league level. The switch-hitting Smoak could fill the short side of a platoon at first base with the lefty-swinging Brandon Belt, or factor into the mix at designated hitter.
... See More... See Less
Giants' Justin Smoak: Active for Thursday's game
Rotowire
Smoak was activated by the Giants prior to Thursday's game in San Diego, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
The Giants designated Pablo Sandoval for assignment, thus clearing a 40-man roster spot for Smoak, whom they signed to a minor-league contract earlier in the week. Smoak should see the occassional start down the stretch, but there is not an obvious path for him to get regular playing time.
... See More... See Less
Justin Smoak: Cut loose by Milwaukee
Rotowire
The Brewers released Smoak on Sunday.
Smoak already lost his spot on the 40-man roster after being designated for assignment Thursday, and he'll now be removed from the Brewers' 60-man roster pool after going unclaimed off waivers over the weekend. The switch-hitting 33-year-old boasts plenty of big-league experience, but he may struggle to catch on elsewhere before the season ends after he slashed .186/.262/.381 in his 126 plate appearances with Milwaukee prior to being released.
Smoak was designated for assignment Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Smoak entered the campaign with a chance to occupy a run-producing spot in the Brewers lineup all season, but he's never got going at the dish. The 33-year-old switch hitter has been even worse this year than he was in 2019 with Toronto, hitting .186/.262/.381 with five home runs and a 31.7 percent strikeout rate in 126 plate appearances. The Brewers apparently claimed Daniel Vogelbach from Toronto in a corresponding move.
Smoak is not in the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.
Southpaw Steven Brault will take the mound for Pittsburgh, so Smoak will head to the bench after going 0-for-2 with a walk Saturday. Jedd Gyorko will start at first base Sunday for the Brewers.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Held out of second straight
Rotowire
Smoak is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.
Smoak was held out of the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Brewers facing left-hander Wade Miley, and that will be the case again Friday with Milwaukee taking on another southpaw in Derek Holland. Jedd Gyorko will start at first base in Smoak's place.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Not starting Game 2
Rotowire
Smoak is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Reds.
Smoak went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the first game of the twin bill. He will get at the least the start of Game 2 off, with Jedd Gyorko sliding to first base.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Provides two-run shot in win
Rotowire
Smoak went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI in Monday's 4-2 win over the Reds.
Smoak got the Brewers out to a 1-0 lead in the first with a single that drove in Christian Yelich. He later extended Milwaukee's lead with a two-run homer in the third. After getting off to a slow start to start the campaign, the switch hitter is showing signs of getting on the right track, belting a pair of homers among four hits in the last two games.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Homers, drives in three
Rotowire
Smoak went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and three RBI in Sunday's 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh.
Smoak got the Brewers on the board with a run-scoring double in the fourth. He went on to give Milwaukee a 4-2 lead when he took Geoff Hartlieb deep for a two-run homer in the sixth. Smoak now has four long balls and 12 RBI on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Smoak isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.
Smoak was in the starting lineup for the past nine games, but he's struggled recently as he's gone just 2-for-18 with a home run, one double and one RBI over his last five contests. He'll get a day off Saturday with Jedd Gyorko starting at first base.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Goes deep in loss
Rotowire
Smoak went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thurday's 7-1 loss to the Twins.
Smoak produced the only run of the contest for Milwaukee, smacking a solo shot to left field in the seventh inning. The blast was the third of the season for the veteran, who is slashing .203/.247/.392 across 85 plate appearances.
Smoak went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Thursday's loss to Chicago.
Smoak broke up Yu Darvish's no-hit bid with a solo homer to right field in the seventh inning, then knocked in Milwaukee's other run with a run-scoring double in the ninth. The long ball was his first since July 25 and second overall on the season. Smoak has been showing signs of emerging from his recent slump, notching three multi-hit performances in his last four games and going 7-for-17 in that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: Sitting Tuesday
Rotowire
Smoak is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.
The return of Ryan Braun (finger) from the injured list will likely have an effect on Smoak's playing time, though in this case, it will be Jedd Gyorko starting at first base, with Braun serving as the designated hitter. Smoak's .483 OPS through 52 plate appearances hardly makes a great case for him having an everyday role.
... See More... See Less
Brewers' Justin Smoak: First multi-RBI game of season
Rotowire
Smoak went 3-for-5 with a double, a run and two RBI in Sunday's victory over the Reds.
Smoak picked up just one total hit over the last seven games he appeared in, but he notched a season-high three base knocks Sunday and recorded multiple RBI in a game for the first time as a Brewer. The switch-hitting Smoak owns a .614 OPS in 36 PA against right-handers to date, but just a .258 OPS over 12 PA against southpaws.
