Dom Smith will try to earn a spot on the Braves’ Opening Day roster after he signed a minor league deal with Atlanta on Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chad Bishop reported.
Smith will be a non-roster invitee in spring training.
The 30-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. During his time in Boston, Smith quickly became well-liked among fans. But once Triston Casas was activated from the injured list, the Red Sox designated Smith for assignment before ultimately releasing him.
Four days later Smith signed a major-league deal with the Reds. He played in nine games and batted .192 with five hits and four runs.
Smith had some big moments with the Red Sox and provided some consistency at first base when Casas was sidelined for a chunk of the season with a rib injury. In 83 games (69 starts), Smith hit .237 with six home runs, 20 doubles and a .706 OPS.
Smith also threw three shutout innings for the Red Sox and gave up two hits.
Smith spent 2025 with the San Francisco Giants and appeared in 63 games and slashed .284/.333/.417.
The path for Smith to have playing time with the Braves is a bit blocked. Matt Olson is Atlanta’s first baseman, and a rotation of Jurickson Profar, Ronald Acuña Jr.,Mike Yastrzemski and Michael Harris II make up the outfielder and designated hitter role.