Burch Smith - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Setback on rehab assignment Smith is being evaluated after exiting a rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday with right shoulder/lat discomfort, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith was making his second rehab appearance after missing nearly two months with right shoulder inflammation, so it's a worrisome setback. More should be known about the reliever's condition in the coming days.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Smith (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Impact Smith has been shelved by right shoulder inflammation since May 22 and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in late June. He's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment and could be back in the majors by late July or early August. Prior to his injury, Smith posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.47 wHIP across 17 innings.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to 60-day IL The Tigers transferred Smith (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.

Impact The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Ben Malgeri, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Toledo. Smith is in the midst of a throwing progression as he works his way back from right shoulder inflammation, but his move to the 60-day IL indicates that the Tigers weren't counting on him being ready to contribute out of the bullpen before the All-Star break. He'll be eligible for activation beginning July 21.

JUNE 23 • ROTOWIRE

Completes side session Smith (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith is working his way through a throwing progression after being placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to right shoulder inflammation. He'll likely need to complete another side session or two before advancing to facing live hitters and then heading out on a rehab assignment. Smith is without a definitive timeline for a return, but if he steers clear of any setbacks, he'll have a shot at rejoining the Detroit bullpen before the end of June.

JUNE 11 • ROTOWIRE

Begins throwing progression Smith (shoulder) started a throwing program Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Shortly after landing on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to right shoulder inflammation, Smith received a cortisone shot to address the injury. After responding well to the injection, Smith is beginning to ramp up again and could re-emerge as an option in the Detroit bullpen later this month. He'll likely require a brief rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

JUNE 8 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured list The Tigers placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Impact Smith gave up one run in two-thirds of an inning during his appearance Thursday, but he came away from his outing with soreness in his shoulder. He received a cortisone injection Friday to help treat the issue, but he won't be able to avoid spending a couple of weeks on the injured list. Brenan Hanifee was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to fill the open spot in Detroit's bullpen.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with shoulder soreness Smith has been diagnosed with right shoulder soreness and received a cortisone injection Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact It's unclear if Smith will require a trip to the injured list, but Brenan Hanifee will be the next man up if Smith heads to the IL. Smith allowed one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Guardians and figures to be unavailable for Friday's series opener against the Orioles.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Bailey, Cantillo lead Guardians to four-game series sweep with 3-1 win over reeling Tigers

Patrick Bailey hit a solo home run, Joey Cantillo threw 5 2/3 shutout innings and the Cleveland Guardians extended their winning streak to six games with a 3-1 victory over the Det...

MAY 21 • Associated Press

Witt blazes around bases in 14.13 seconds for inside-the-park homer KANSAS CITY – The Royals wasted absolutely no time getting their offense started against the Tigers and opener Burch Smith on Saturday night...

MAY 10 • MLB.COM

Working as opener Saturday Smith will serve as the opening pitcher during Saturday's game against the Royals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Smith has been one of the Tigers' most reliable bullpen options so far this season, logging a 1.59 ERA and 1.15 WHIP alongside a 16:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings. He'll be trusted to handle the first inning or two of Saturday's contest before turning things over to bulk reliever Ty Madden.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged with loss Friday Smith (0-1) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on three hits in two innings of relief as the Tigers fell 5-4 to the Rangers. He struck out three.

Impact The veteran righty got the call in a high-leverage spot but couldn't seal the deal, giving up the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning on an Alejandro Osuna double as Texas broke a 4-4 tie. With Kenley Jansen struggling of late, Will Vest (undisclosed) not 100 percent and Kyle Finnegan having pitched the prior two days, manager A.J. Hinch's late-game options were limited Friday, but Smith has pitched well since being promoted from Triple-A Toledo to potentially be in the mix. Through 7.1 innings over four appearances, he's delivered a 2.45 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB.

MAY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out four Tuesday Smith allowed a run on two hits and a walk across two innings of relief in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out four.

Impact Smith is off to a nice start with the Tigers since getting the call from Triple-A Toledo, as he's allowed just one run in three appearances, and he's struck out eight batters already across 5.1 innings. The 36-year-old had toiled in the minors since last appearing in the majors back in 2024, and he's not yet a true high-leverage bullpen option in Detroit, but he could earn a more significant role if he continues to pitch well.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers reliever's blowup vs Brewers was final straw as Detroit makes roster move The Tigers optioned Enmanuel De Jesus after a blowup inning vs. the Brewers, and promoted Burch Smith.

APRIL 22 • MOTORCITYBENGALS.COM

Contract selected The Tigers selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Smith was off to a terrific start with Toledo, yielding two runs with a 16:0 K:BB over 10 innings. The 36-year-old will give the Tigers a fresh bullpen arm and will be making his first major-league appearance since 2024 when/if he gets into a game.

APRIL 22 • ROTOWIRE

Meadows makes Opening Day roster, Pérez optioned to Triple-A The Tigers made some of their final roster moves on Tuesday, optioning infielder Jace Jung and outfielders Trei Cruz and Wenceel Pérez to Tr...

MARCH 24 • MLB.COM

Tigers avoid major injury scare with Spencer Torkelson after AJ Hinch update For a few tense moments Tuesday in Lakeland, the Detroit Tigers had reason to hold their breath. When a pitch from veteran reliever Burch Sm...

MARCH 11 • MOTORCITYBENGALS.COM

Latches on with Tigers The Tigers signed Smith to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Smith will get $1.5 million if in the majors, with $250,000 more available in incentives. The 25-year-old spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization, posting a 7.08 ERA and 26:12 K:BB over 20.1 frames. Smith made 50 relief appearances between the Marlins and Orioles in 2024, holding a 4.95 ERA and 46:12 K:BB across 56.1 innings. He'll likely begin the upcoming season in the bullpen at Triple-A Toledo.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with undisclosed injury Smith left Friday's appearance for Triple-A Indianapolis after facing just one batter with an undisclosed injury, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Impact Smith left in the middle of a plate appearance against Royce Lewis when he signaled for a trainer. Smith has thrown 1.1 scoreless innings in three appearances for Indianapolis this season.

APRIL 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to minor-league camp Smith was reassigned to minor league spring training on Monday.

Impact Smith inked a minor-league deal that included an invitation to big-league camp back in January, but he was unable to do enough to earn a bullpen spot. Instead, he'll set his sights on beginning the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he'll serve as organizational depth.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets NRI deal from Pittsburgh The Pirates signed Smith to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Impact Smith, 34, collected a 4.95 ERA and 46:12 K:BB across 56.1 innings between the Marlins and Orioles this past season. The veteran right-hander will compete for a bullpen job in spring training.

JANUARY 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles acquire Daz Cameron from the Athletics for cash; the OF hit .200 last season for the A's

The Baltimore Orioles have acquired outfielder Daz Cameron from the Athletics for cash

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • Associated Press

Becomes free agent Smith elected free agency Thursday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Impact Smith cleared waivers after the Orioles removed him from their 40-man roster, but he will look for a job elsewhere rather than accepting an outright assignment. The righty collected a 4.95 ERA and 46:12 K:BB over 56.1 innings between the Marlins and Orioles this season.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IL with groin strain The Orioles placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a groin strain, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Impact Smith will be forced to sit for the rest of the regular season, and it's unclear whether the severity of the groin strain will keep him out of action throughout Baltimore's postseason run. Smith joined the Orioles in late June after being DFA'd and subsequently released by the Marlins. Working out of Baltimore's bullpen, Smith has posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 26.2 innings. Southpaw reliever Danny Coulombe (elbow) was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sunk by two homers Sunday Smith (4-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Astros, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out two over one inning.

Impact Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz went back-to-back on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, and the Orioles weren't able to bounce back, leaving Smith with his first loss of the year. Smith was pretty effective after initially joining the Orioles in mid-July, but he's now been on the hook for multiple runs in three of his last four appearances. Since Aug. 10, he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned), including five home runs, over seven innings. Smith is now at a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB overall 48.1 innings between Baltimore and Miami this year.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles fall to Astros, 6-3, as Burch Smith allows back-to-back homers in 7th on 'Sunday Night Baseball' BALTIMORE - Baltimore Orioles reliever Burch Smith churned the baseball between his palms as he scan...

AUGUST 26, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

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Bailey, Cantillo lead Guardians to four-game series sweep with 3-1 win over reeling Tigers

Orioles acquire Daz Cameron from the Athletics for cash; the OF hit .200 last season for the A's