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Manager Craig Counsell announced Sunday that Smith will compete with Jeremy Jeffress in spring training for the Brewers' closer role, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Smith dominated opponents early in the season, posting a 1.87 ERA and accumulating 44 strikeouts over 33.2 innings prior to the 2015 All-Star break. He wore down a bit in the second half, but the strikeout totals (47 over 29.2 innings) remained. The fact that he's left-handed actually works as a bit of a disadvantage for his chances of becoming the closer, but he certainly has the stuff to earn the role. Even if Smith does take the job out of camp, the Brewers figure to be among the league's worst teams in 2016, which could limit his save opportunities.
