The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night for their second game of the season, following an 8-2 win over Arizona in the series opener on Thursday. Will Smith starred in that victory, collecting two hits, including a home run, and driving in three runs.
In a related move, LA traded minor league outfielder Damon Keith to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. Keith, 25, was a 2021 18th-round pick and spent last season in Double-A, slashing .226/.681 OPS with 11 homers, 44 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and 41 runs. Brewers officials confirmed the acquisition as part of a small, cash-focused deal.
Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted the trade as a minor-league exchange, with Keith likely to begin the season in the Brewers’ farm system after the deal. The Dodgers and Brewers discussed the transaction ahead of the Dodgers’ game against Arizona, as both teams gear up for upcoming schedules.
Keith’s departure gives the Dodgers a different add to their organizational depth, while Milwaukee adds another outfielder depth option in the early-season mix. The Brewers will continue their homestand with two more games against the Chicago White Sox before hosting the Tampa Bay Rays on March 30, and the Dodgers will welcome the Cleveland Guardians to Dodger Stadium on March 30, after two more games with Arizona.
Industry reaction on social media reflected a mix of opinions, with fans weighing in on the value of the move for both teams and the broader implications for outfield depth and roster flexibility. Overall, the trade represents a straightforward, cash-based transaction that aligns with both clubs’ current staffing and developmental plans.
This article originally appeared on Heavy Sports and covers the Dodgers’ early-season schedule, the Dodgers-Brewers trade, and the surrounding reactions from MLB observers.
