Red Sox Release Dominic Smith After Triston Casas Returns from Rib Injury

Dominic Smith's disappointing season with the Boston Red Sox has come to an end.

The Red Sox announced on Tuesday that Smith has been released after appearing in 83 games.

The Red Sox signed Smith on May 1 to fill in at first base when Triston Casas was on the injured list due to torn rib cartilage.

Smith was a late free-agent signing in spring training by the Tampa Bay Rays. He began the 2024 season with their Triple-A affiliate in Durham before exercising the opt-out in his contract to join the Red Sox.

Things started slowly for Smith after he signed with Boston. The 29-year-old was hitting .179/.256/.256 with one homer, 12 RBI and 19 strikeouts over 86 plate appearances in 25 games from May 1-30.

In 58 appearances from May 31 to Aug. 15, Smith posted a .263/.344/.450 slash line with 22 extra-base hits and 22 RBI in 192 plate appearances. His last appearance was on Aug. 15 with Casas being activated off the IL the following day.

Smith was redundant on Boston's roster since, like Casas, he is a left-handed hitting first baseman. Masataka Yoshida, who is the team's primary designated hitter, is also left handed.

Given the success that Smith was having prior to his release, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him catch on with a contender looking to add another hitter to the lineup for the stretch run.

A first-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 2013, Smith made his MLB debut four years later. He spent six seasons with the Mets before joining the Washington Nationals in 2023.

Smith owns a .247/.314/.405 career slash line with 64 homers and 259 RBI in 683 games with three different teams.