Smith, a former first-round pick (seventh overall in 2017), has struggled this season. He entered the assignment with a .141 batting average and a .428 OPS. Arizona now sits with 39 players on its 40-man roster after the move.
DFA details and performance trajectory
Smith showed early-season promise, flashing power and plate discipline in a brief hot stretch. However, outside of a productive period from late 2024 into early 2025, he has not consistently produced against major-league pitching. In the 2024 season’s closing month, he posted a standout stretch highlighted by a three-homer game against a division rival, which helped solidify his spot in the lineup at that time. But the follow-up performance cooled considerably, with a .195 average and a .585 OPS during a lengthy sample thereafter, accompanied by a strikeout rate just under 30%.
Injuries have punctuated Smith’s recent campaigns. He dealt with oblique, quadriceps/hip, and elbow injuries, including a season-ending or season-interrupting elbow procedure to remove bone chips. These durability issues contributed to the decline in production and limited his ability to reclaim a steady role.
The Diamondbacks responded by giving more significant opportunities to other outfield and designating-hitter options, notably adding Max Kepler to the mix. With Smith in DFA limbo, Kepler is expected to assume a larger role and provide left-handed pop for the lineup.
Career context and future options
Over 1,629 plate appearances, Smith owns a career slash line of .241/.325/.394. After a seven-day window, Arizona will determine whether to trade, release, or outright Smith through waivers. The most likely path is to place him on outright waivers and attempt to assign him to Reno if he clears.
Smith’s absence influences the Diamondbacks’ approach to the trade deadline. General manager Mike Hazen has highlighted left-handed power as a priority, but the team’s current trajectory makes significant acquisitions less likely without a strong post-break sprint.
Current standings and playoff odds
Following a split in a series with a division rival, Arizona stands at 46-47 and sits 5.5 games back in the wild-card race. FanGraphs currently projects roughly a 14.7% chance of reaching the postseason, underscoring the need for continued evaluation down the stretch.
First-base considerations and potential replacements
With Smith moved aside, first base becomes a pivotal area for evaluation. Potential options to consider include:
– Max Kepler: Could slot in at first base to minimize disruption and free up an outfield spot for Waldschmidt. Kepler’s performance and defensive fit at first will dictate his longer-term role.
– Ildemaro Vargas: A veteran infielder who could share duties at first base while the team re-evaluates at the trade deadline.
– LuJas Groover III: A fast-rising prospect whose power ceiling may be a limiting factor for a long-term at-first projection, but could offer immediate upside if given a shot.
– Manuel Pena: A strong minor-league hitter who has produced impressive numbers in the minors (.316/.359/.628 with 28 home runs between Amarillo and Reno) and has already started to see major-league action. Pena is one of several prospects who could be considered for a late-season tryout if the organization chooses to accelerate its youth movement.
Bottom line
The Diamondbacks will decide how aggressively to deploy Kepler and other internal options at first base while assessing longer-term needs ahead of the deadline. Smith’s fall from utility to DFA illustrates the fine line between early-season success and sustained MLB production, especially when injuries intrude on a player’s consistency.
Note: This article reflects on-team developments and does not reference external sources or original publication notes.
