The Dodgers released lefty Josh Smoker and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera from their Triple-A club, as first indicated on the Pacific Coast League’s transactions log.
Neither has performed well to start the season in Oklahoma City, as Smoker has been tagged for 14 runs on 20 hits and nine walks with 11 strikeouts in 14 innings of work thus far. Carrera, meanwhile, is hitting .172/.250/.207 — albeit through just 32 plate appearances over the course of 10 games.
Smoker, 30, spent the 2018 campaign with the Pirates and Tigers, pitching to a strong 3.38 ERA in with a 50-to-16 K/BB ratio in 45 1/3 innings of Triple-A ball. He allowed seven runs in 7 1/3 innings at the MLB level, however. Smoker averaged 95 mph on his fastball in 71 2/3 big league innings from 2016-17 with the Mets, but his heater dipped a couple miles per hour in last year’s brief stint.
Carrera, 31, has tallied more than four years of MLB service time across parts of seven big league seasons but hasn’t been in the Majors since 2017 with the Blue Jays. He’s a career .262/.324/.365 hitter with 19 homers, 45 doubles, nine triples and 44 steals through 508 games and just over 1300 MLB plate appearances. He’s logged at least 740 innings at all three outfield positions over the course of his Major League career.
Hoping Smoker can catch on with the Indy League Nicorette Quitters to rebuild his stock.
For the historical name Tampa bay used on its retro day in the past. The name smoker would be perfect there
Oh, you Devil!
No one else’ll take him. He’s a clubhouse cancer.
He was lit up too many times in AAA, so the Dodgers were forced to put him out.
I’d bet EZ Carrera ends up in either Toronto or Cleveland.
The Giants
but he isn’t a catcher
Atlanta
I would see Cleveland adding him except he hasn’t even produced at AAA the past two seasons.
perfect for their major league OF
Braves should go grab smoker. He’s a home town boy and still has stuff left in the tank. Exactly what we need. Do a minor league deal and see what happens. He’ll come home, I can almost promise it
The Indians should pick him up. I bet the Tribe’s clubhouse and coaches could get him turned around in a hurry!
Have you seen his numbers? I wouldn’t expect him to contribute in Columbus.