Burch Smith
RP MIA
Mon 5/31/21 2:21 PM

Smith fired a scoreless seventh inning in a loss to the Angels on Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran reliever now has back-to-back scoreless appearances after giving up four earned runs over four innings across the three outings immediately preceding the current stretch. Smith retains some modest value in formats that count holds, as he's amassed three of them while also pitching to an impressive 2.93 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 15.1 innings.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Mon 5/10/21 1:24 PM

Smith (groin), reinstated from the injured list Saturday, fired two perfect innings during which he recorded two strikeouts in a loss to the Rays on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
The right-hander encouragingly got his six outs on just 23 pitches, making it a highly successful return after nearly a month on the injured list. Smith should line up for some consistent later-inning work moving forward and now sports a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through five innings (three appearances).

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Sat 5/8/21 12:40 PM

Smith (groin) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Smith made a rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday and allowed a run on two hits while striking out two in 1.1 innings. He'll now return to the major-league bullpen after Mike Fiers (elbow) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Fri 5/7/21 7:18 PM

Smith (groin) allowed an earned run on two hits over 1.1 innings in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas against Sacramento on Thursday. He struck out two.
EDGE Analysis
Smith logged a relatively solid workload of 31 pitches, suggesting he's nearing a return to full health after more than a month on the shelf. The right-hander made two appearances for the Athletics before going on the injured list April 6, allowing an earned run on three hits over three innings across two appearances. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Smith may be on the verge of activation, with manager Bob Melvin commenting Friday he could be activated "pretty soon."

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Sat 5/1/21 2:39 PM

Smith (groin) is scheduled to throw two innings in a simulated game Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right groin strain April 6, but he's been running and playing long toss in recent weeks. His two-inning sim game Sunday will be a significant step in his recovery, although it's not yet clear when Smith will be able to return to the major-league bullpen.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Sat 4/17/21 2:56 PM

Smith (groin) has been throwing from 100 feet, Alex Coffey of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Smith has been sidelined since April 6 due to a strained right groin. While manager Bob Melvin expects that Smith will be out "for a while" due to the injury, the right-hander has progressed to running and playing long toss recently. Melvin said that he feels as though Smith is starting to get slightly closer to a return, but he still doesn't have a timetable to return to game action.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Tue 4/6/21 4:06 PM

Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a strained right groin.
EDGE Analysis
He gave up one run while striking out one over three innings in his first two appearances of the season. Jordan Weems was promoted to take Smith's spot in the bullpen. Manager Bob Melvin said Smith will be out "for a while" with the injury, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Tue 3/30/21 2:26 AM

Smith, who owns a 6.48 ERA across 8.1 Cactus League innings, has made the Opening Day roster, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Manager Bob Melvin made the announcement that Smith won the final bullpen spot Monday morning, a few hours after the veteran put together his third scoreless relief effort of spring. Smith was touched up for multiple earned runs on two other occasions during Cactus League play and allowed a .351 average to opposing batters overall, but he'll look to regain the consistency that made him a value relief option in 2020 -- over the 12 innings covering his six appearances last season, Smith posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Sat 2/20/21 11:25 AM

Smith (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Smith missed the second half of the 2020 season due to a forearm strain, but he's now healthy to begin spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Laredo Morning Times reports. He reportedly threw a bullpen session on the first day of camp and will do so again Saturday. Smith recorded a 2.25 ERA and 0.67 WHIP over 12 innings last season.

Burch Smith
RP MIA
Tue 12/1/20 10:37 AM

Smith (forearm) signed a one-year, $705,000 deal with the A's on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
EDGE Analysis
Given that he ended the year on the shelf with a forearm strain, this is an encouraging sign, as the A's may have non-tendered Smith if they thought the injury would affect his availability for 2021. He logged a 2.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings (six appearances) last season.