51 Will Smith RP

Smith posted a 1.69 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB through 5.1 innings before spring training was suspended.

The veteran left-hander is set to fill a high-leverage role for Atlanta this season after putting together back-to-back excellent campaigns for San Francisco in 2018-19. Mark Melancon will get first crack at the ninth inning, but Smith should still get occasional save chances against lefty-heavy lineups, and he would likely be the next man up at closer if Melancon falters.

Smith will primarily work in a high-leverage setup role for Altanta, but manager Brian Snitker said he wouldn't hesitate to use the 30-year-old to close, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Mark Melancon is considered the team's primary ninth-inning option right now, and the new rule requiring a pitcher to face at least three batters would seem to prevent Snitker from using the southpaw Smith to face only one or two tough left-handed hitters to close out the ninth. Nonetheless, Smith had the better overall season of the two in 2019, and if Melancon falters, the free-agent signee will be next in line for closing duties.

Smith signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Braves on Thursday.

Despite receiving a qualifying offer from the Giants, Smith landed a three-year deal with Atlanta after recording 34 saves and a 96:21 K:BB in 2019. The contract includes a club option for 2023 worth $13 million. The 30-year-old will join Atlanta's crowded bullpen that includes arms such as Mark Melancon, Luke Jackson and Shane Greene, so it's unclear whether Smith will perform as a full-time closer in 2020.

Smith received a qualifying offer from the Giants on Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Smith's decision on whether or not to accept the one-year, $17.8 million deal may be the toughest among the 10 players who were given the offer Monday. The draft-pick penalty which will now be assigned to him may dampen the market for the 30-year-old reliever even though he recorded 34 saves and a 2.76 ERA last season.

Smith (6-0) picked up the win against the Rockies on Wednesday after tossing a perfect inning with three strikeouts.

Smith came into a tied ninth inning and retired the side in order with three consecutive punchouts. Teammate Jaylin Davis then hit a walkoff home run in the bottom of the frame to gift Smith and the Giants with the win. Across 63 games this season, the 30-year-old closer has tallied 34 saves with a 2.76 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

Smith allowed one hit but struck out two during the ninth inning to post a save in a 4-1 victory against the Braves on Sunday.

Since returning from back tightness a week ago, Smith has posted 3.1 shutout innings with two saves and five strikeouts. Dating back to Aug. 24, he's converted five straight save chances and allowed three runs in 9.2 innings. Overall, he is 5-0 with 34 saves, 2.84 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 92 strikeouts in 63.1 innings this season.

Smith walked one batter and struck out one in a scoreless inning Sunday, earning the save over Miami.

Smith hadn't appeared in a game since Sep. 6 due to some back tightness but came back strong Sunday with a scoreless frame. He's now 33-for-37 in save chances with a 2.95 ERA in 2019.

Smith (back) threw Saturday and hasn't been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Marlins, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Smith hasn't pitched since last Friday. Previous reports held that he wouldn't be back until Tuesday at the earliest, but it's possible that he'll wind up ahead of that schedule.

Smith (back) played catch from flat ground Friday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smith was initially hoping to pitch over the weekend, but it appears as though he'll be held out of game action until Tuesday. He's been nursing back inflammation since Saturday.

Smith (back) will resume throwing Thursday and if all goes well could pitch this weekend against the Marlins, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Smith hasn't pitched since Saturday as he battles a bout of back inflammation, but it looks as though he's nearing his return. The left-hander figures to receive a status update after Thursday's throwing session.

Smith (back) remains unavailable to pitch Tuesday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Smith hasn't taken the mound since allowing one run while recording his 32nd save Friday. It's unclear how long the left-hander is expected to remain sidelined as a result of the back inflammation. The Giants are currently without their top relievers with Tony Watson (wrist) likely done for the season and Reyes Moronta (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list.

Smith was unavailable for Saturday's game against the Dodgers due to back tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The back tightness explains why the left-hander wasn't utilized during Saturday's 1-0 win over the Dodgers, a game in which the Giants used six relievers. Smith allowed a run while recording his 32nd save Friday, but it's unclear if the back issue was present for that outing. The Giants didn't indicate whether the 30-year-old would be available for Sunday's series finale.

Smith earned a ninth-inning save against the Dodgers on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and a walk while striking out two.

Smith came into the ninth inning tasked with protecting a 5-3 lead. It took him 20 pitches, but he got it done. Smith started off strong by striking out Cody Bellinger, then causing David Freese to pop out. The left-hander faltered by giving up a solo home run to A.J. Pollock and a walk to Russell Martin. Luckily, he sent his namesake, Dodgers rookie catcher Will Smith, down on strikes to finish things off for good. Smith the closer has racked up 32 saves across 58 appearances this season with a 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 87:19 K:BB.

Smith struck out three and walked two across 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Smith entered the game in the eighth inning and stranded the tying run at third base by striking out Paul Goldschmidt. He surrendered two walks in the ninth frame but ultimately recovered to earn his 31st save of the season. He's been one of the more consistent closers throughout the campaign, maintaining a 2.90 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 85 strikeouts across 59 frames.

Smith allowed one hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save over Oakland on Sunday.

It was Smith's first save since Aug. 13 and his first chance since Aug. 16. He failed to record a strikeout but worked past a two-out double by Josh Phegley. Smith is now 30-for-34 in save opportunities with a 2.70 ERA.

Smith (5-0) blew a save but recorded the win against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts over 1.2 innings.

Smith came into the 10th inning to protect a 9-7 lead and gave up home runs to Wilmer Flores and Nick Ahmed to blow the save opportunity and even the score at 9-9. Mike Yastrzemski then homered in the 11th to give the Giants a 10-9 win. Smith has converted 29 saves in 33 chances this year, and has ended up getting credit for the win after all four of those blown saves.

Smith picked up the save against the Athletics on Tuesday, giving up one earned run on three hits in the ninth inning before closing out the Giants' 3-2 victory. He struck out three and walked one.

It wasn't smooth sailing, as Smith gave up three hits and walked in a run while trying to protect a 3-1 lead, but he was able to work out of the jam by striking out Mark Canha to end the game and pick up his 29th save of the season. This wasn't his finest outing, but Smith is still in the midst of a standout campaign as the closer for the Giants (2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 76:15 K:BB over 53 innings).

Smith (4-0) blew the save but was credited with the win against Philadelphia on Sunday, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings and allowing no hits and two walks while striking out one batter.

Smith entered the game in a sticky situation in the eighth inning, inheriting runners on second and third base with only one out in a one-run game. Despite the blown save, he did well to limit Philadelphia to a single run on a sacrifice fly before intentionally walking Cesar Hernandez and getting Brad Miller to ground out to end the threat. Smith was then allowed to stay in the game for his first major-league at-bat in the bottom of the inning and delivered a two-run single, helping his own cause as he came away with the victory. The 30-year-old now boasts a 2.42 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 73:14 K:BB in 52 innings this season.

Smith allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Phillies.

Smith didn't make things easy on himself as he issued a two-out walk to put the tying run on base, but he was able to strike out Corey Dickerson to close out the contest. The veteran left-hander is 28-for-30 in save opportunities and has a 2.50 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 72:12 K:BB over 50.1 innings.

Smith gave up two hits and struck out three over an inning en route to his 27th save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Rockies.

Smith allowed a pair of baserunners to get on base, but he was able to punch his way out of trouble with his sixth three-strikeout outing of the season. The 29-year-old hit a bit of a rough patch in July (3.86 ERA), bringing his minuscule ERA back down to earth at 2.61, which is identical to his 2.61 FIP. Even after a reversion to the mean, Smith remains one of the league's top closers with 27 saves to go along with plus ratios.