He put together a strong camp as a non-roster invite but when he triggered his opt-out on March 21, the Yankees did not add him to the major league roster.

Smith, a non-roster invitee with the Yankees, had been bothered by his right hand for the previous four or five years. He played through soreness, taped himself up and used a wrist widget to limit his hand’s movement. The constant care didn’t prevent the veteran from breaking his hamate bone on a live batting practice swing in January 2024, though.

Returns to New York on minors deal