Smith (elbow) was recalled and placed on the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports. Smith will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2015 campaign. The Rays moved him to the 60-day DL to open up a 40-man roster spot for Allan Dykstra, who had his contract selected to replace James Loney on the 25-man roster.

Smith will have Tommy John surgery, the Tampa Bay Times reports Smith was a candidate for the major league rotation early in the season with other starters hurt, but he obviously suffered a significant injury. Hopefully he'll be ready for the start of the 2016 season.

Smith is still believed to be in the Rays' early-season plans, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The 24-year-old right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, seemingly narrowing the field for the Rays' open rotation spots, but Smith can return when the team puts a player on the DL. It seems the move was done primarily to get Smith more innings, and to open up more innings for the likes of Nate Karns, Matt Andriese, Mike Montgomery and Everett Teaford. Smith could still be a temporary rotation option with Drew Smyly (shoulder), Alex Cobb (forearm) and Alex Colome (illness) all out to start the year.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Smith appeared to have a clear path to a temporary rotation spot after Drew Smyly, Alex Cobb and Alex Colome all suffered injuries in the initial weeks of spring training, but evidently his six-run implosion Friday against Toronto (3.2 innings) did him in. Thus, the competition for the available spots in the Opening Day rotation is now down to Nate Karns, Matt Andriese, Mike Montgomery and Everett Teaford.

Smith will likely open the season in the Rays' rotation due the absence of Drew Smyly, Alex Cobb, and Alex Colome, the Tampa Tribune reports. While all three ailing pitchers may return in April, Smith is positioned to get at least a couple of turns as a temporary member of the Tampa Bay rotation. Smith will be joined by Nate Karns and Matt Andriese as the first options tasked with filling in, while a strong showing could prolong the opportunity for at least one of the replacements if Smyly, Cobb, or Colome suffer a setback.

Smith worked three innings in Tuesday's start versus the Pirates, allowing just one earned run on three hits and a walk while notching two strikeouts. Smith threw 20 pitches in Tuesday's outing, finding the zone with 15 of them. With four solid frames under his belt so far this spring, the right-handed hurler has placed himself in the competition, along with Nate Karns and Alex Colome, for the fifth spot in the Rays' rotation heading into the regular season.

Smith (forearm) was traded to the Rays on Wednesday as part of a three-team deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Smith's 2014 campaign was largely limited due to forearm issues, as he was only able to log 20 innings at the minor league level. He's expected to be ready to go by the start of the 2015 season, however, and will compete to earn a major league roster spot during spring training. If the right-hander is able to crack the Opening Day roster, he'll likely serve in long relief, though he came up through the farm system as a starting pitcher.

Padres optioned RHP Burch Smith to Triple-A Tucson; reassigned 2B Cory Spangenberg and 1B/C Cody Decker to minor league camp. Manager Bud Black said earlier this spring that Smith could be a candidate for the bullpen, but they'll keep him as starter insurance at Triple-A. The 23-year-old struggled during his rookie season, compiling a 6.44 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 46/21 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings.

Padres manager Bud Black confirmed Sunday that Burch Smith could be a candidate to begin the season in the bullpen. The 23-year-old hurler struggled during his rookie campaign in 2013, compiling a 6.44 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 46/21 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings with the Padres. While the strikeout numbers are intriguing, as is pitching half his games at Petco Park, unless he manages to earn a rotation spot his fantasy value will be minimal in 2014.

The Padres have decided not to have Burch Smith pitch in the Arizona Fall League this offseason. Smith matched his 2012 output with 128 2/3 innings between the Padres and Triple-A Tuscon in 2012, but the organization wants to play it safe and not over-extend him. Dennis O'Grady will be taking Smith's spot on the roster.