Struggling Smith is demoted to Triple-A
Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Mets sent first baseman/ outfielder Dominic Smith to Triple-A.
In the corresponding move, right-handed reliever Adonis Medina was recalled.
Smith was the 11th overall pick by the Mets in 2013 draft out of his high school in Gardena, Calif. His big-league debut came in 2017. Mostly a part-time player, Smith has appeared in 428 games for the Mets, playing the most in 2021 when he got into 145 games. His career slash line sits at .247/.310/.428 with 46 home runs.
Smith was not in the Mets’ clubhouse on Tuesday. Manager Buck Showalter opened his pregame address by explaining the move.
“Primarily, we need a pitcher,” Showalter said. “Dom was the option we ended up with. This will give him a chance to see if he can get back to the things we know he’s capable of.”
The best baseball of Smith’s career came during the topsy turvy 2020 season. In that 60-game sprint, Smith hit .316/.377/.616 with a 166 wRC+, which was sixth in the league. Unfortunately for him, that success never carried over into a full season. At the time of his demotion, the left-handed hitter was hitting a hard-to-play .186 and had six hits in his last 46 at-bats.
The instant emergence of Pete Alonso in 2019 made it clear that Smith would never receive regular playing time at first base. When the Mets brought in corner outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha this offseason, things got even more dire for Smith. Canha also has experience at first base, as do Eduardo Escobar and JD Davis. In Smith’s absence, those three now slide into the backup role at first base should Alonso need a day off.
As the injuries to Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Trevor May and James McCann have proven, though, a trip back to the big leagues is always one bruise, strain or sprain away.
But for now, Smith will have to re-find his swing in Syracuse as the Mets truck forward. Showalter also mentioned that the plan is for Smith to start at first base in Triple-A before they make any decision on playing him in the outfield there.
“I have a lot of respect for Dom,” Showalter added. “It’s a tough conversation, and not one that anyone likes to have.”