Rangers Sign Reliever Will Smith

Texas adds to a shortened list of left-handed relievers in the bullpen.

The Texas Rangers added left-hander Will Smith to the bullpen on Saturday.

Smith spent last season pitching in 41 games for the Atlanta Braves before being traded him to the Houston Astros in the Jake Odorizzi deal. Smith pitched in 24 games for the Astros but did not pitch last postseason with Houston.

It is also Smith’s second stint with Bruce Bochy. Smith spent three seasons with the Giants between 2016-2019, earning his only All-Star appearance in 2019.

"I’m excited to come to play for [Bochy],” Smith said. “I’ve played for Bochy before and know what kind of manager he is. He’s old school [and] lets us have the clubhouse to ourselves and have the players run the clubhouse. His door is always open [and] always honest with you with how he’s feeling.”

While Smith said he didn’t actively reach out when Bochy took the Rangers managerial job, the old-school mentality that Bochy has fits perfectly with Smith.

“I get the computer stuff these days [but] it’s refreshing to have a guy that trusts his gut sometimes," Smith sad. "It doesn’t always go his way, but he can live with it and answer the questions of why he didn’t do it.”

Bochy the reunion.

"We are fortunate to bring [Smith] into camp," Bochy said. "He gives you a great option in different roles."

Bochy also mentioned the plan for Will Smith is to use him late in the game, whether it's a setup man or a closer. Bochy mentioned the presence Smith brings to his teammates and the clubhouse.

"Tremendous person and cares about his teammates," Bochy said, "Resilient [and] you have to take the ball from him."

It will be the first time Smith will work with pitching coach Mike Maddux. However, on his first day, excitement surfaced in learning and working with the Rangers pitching coach.

“I know he’s a really good pitching coach,” Smith said. “I’ve met him already and am excited to work with him. Everybody I’ve talked to tells me how good he is, and he’s the guru.”

Smith’s locker is next to Danny Duffy, teammates back with the Kansas City from 2012-13 (along with Rangers bullpen coach Brett Hayes).

“[Duffy] was the first guy I saw yesterday after I was doing my physical and MRI," Smith said. "I pulled up to the parking lot, and here comes Duffy. I was like, you have to be kidding me that you’re the first guy I see.”

The Rangers are thin with left-handed bullpen pieces with Brett Martin out to start the season. Taylor Hearn, John King and Cole Ragans are the other three non-starter left-handers the Rangers have on their current 40-man roster. Hearn and Ragans’ roles in the club haven’t been defined at this point in camp.

In adding Will Smith, the Rangers designated utility man Mark Mathias for assignment. Mathias hit .300 with an on-base percentage of .462 in 13 plate appearances this spring. Mathias played in four games at second base and appeared at first base. 

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You can find Alex Plinck on Twitter @aplinckTX.

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