Yankees' non-roster veteran Dom Smith opts out
TAMPA, Fla. - In another sign that both Ben Rice and JC Escarra will make the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Dominic Smith has opted out of camp.
As first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, the lefty-hitting veteran first baseman - a non-roster invitee - opted out of his contract Friday.
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Despite a solid offensive showing in camp, the former Mets first baseman's path to Opening Day with the Yanks has been impeded by the performance of Rice and Escarra.
At about 2 p.m., Smith was scratched as the designated hitter from Friday night's Grapefruit League game at Lakeland against the Detroit Tigers, replaced by TJ Rumfield.
The lefty-hitting Smith, 30, has enjoyed a productive spring training, batting .297 in 13 Grapefruit League games, with three homers, 12 RBI and an .857 OPS in 37 at-bats.
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But the Yankees are in position to carry backup catchers Rice and Escarra, both lefty hitters who can also play first base in addition to serving as a DH.
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Leading the Yankees with five homers in exhibition play entering Friday, Rice has posted an .899 OPS in 16 games (50 AB), while Escarra is batting .333 with three homers and a .953 OPS in 16 games (45 AB).
In 2024, Smith played a combined 93 games with the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds, batting .233 with six homers, 34 RBI and a .691 OPS.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Dom Smith exercises the opt out in his Yankees' spring training deal
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