Smith, 36 in April, has played for seven big league clubs during a 15-year career that has taken him around the world. In addition to seven seasons, Smith also pitched in Japan and Korea at the Triple-A level. He reached the majors in parts of six campaigns, working to a 5.79 ERA over 247 1/3 career innings.
The Oklahoma product’s most recent MLB action came in 2024. He split that season evenly between the Marlins and Orioles, allowing just under five earned runs per nine over 56 1/3 frames. Last year he had a minor league contract with the Pirates. Smith worked for their Triple-A club in Indianapolis and was tagged for a 7.08 ERA in 19 appearances. He struckout nearly 27% of batters at an increased walk rate of 12.2%. The Pirates released him at the end of July.
Smith remained unsigned for the remainder of the ’25 season. He has made a comeback in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, posting a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 20:6, allowing three runs in 15 1/3 innings. The Tigers add him to an extensive collection of bullpen arms that are not on the roster. Tanner Rainey, Sean Gunther, Scott Efross, Dugan Darnell, Jack Klein, Tyler Mattison And Cole Waites have also signed minor league deals.
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