It didn't take Dominic Smith very long to find a new MLB gig once he officially left the Red Sox organization.
Boston released Smith on Tuesday, four days after the club designated the veteran first baseman for assignment upon Triston Casas' return to the lineup. On Thursday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Smith had a big league deal in place with the Cincinnati Reds, pending a physical.
The Red Sox were disappointed to lose Smith, who Alex Cora described as an "outstanding" addition to the club. The 29-year-old joined Boston on May 1 after Casas sustained his rib injury, and Smith went on to bat .237 with six home runs and 34 RBIs with the Red Sox over 83 games before his release.
Smith is set to join a Reds team that still has a shot at reaching the playoffs. Cincinnati entered Thursday 5 1/2 games back of the final National League wild-card spot, and it needed first base help to stay float in its postseason push. Jeimer Candelario was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a fractured left big toe.
As for Smith's former team, Boston will resume its fight for a playoff berth Friday when it opens a weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Fenway Park.
