Smith will start Saturday's game against the Mariners, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old has made numerous major-league appearances as a reliever, but this will be his first career start. He'll fill in for the injured Jharel Cotton (thumb), who was placed on the disabled list due to a blister. Smith will take on young right-hander Andrew Moore in the third game of the weekend series.

Smith was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

EDGE Analysis

The A's are doing some offseason roster management, and will clear a spot on the 40-man roster by outrighting Smith to Triple-A. He was used as a starter at Triple-A and a reliever in the big leagues in 2016, and his success out of the big league bullpen (2.92 ERA, 29:13 K:BB in 24.2 innings) suggests he could fill a similar role at some point in 2017, if a need arises.

Smith's contract was purchased from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith, 35, has been a member of the Nashville rotation throughout the season, accruing a 3.93 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 130.2 innings. Though the Athletics placed Sonny Gray (forearm) on the DL in a corresponding move, it's not immediately clear if Smith will assume Gray's turn in the rotation, or simply work in long relief. Either way, Smith is unlikely to provide much of a fantasy impact, given his pedestrian minor-league numbers.

Padres signed RHP Chris Smith to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A El Paso. Smith was sporting a 2.15 ERA and 55/10 K/BB ratio in 50 1/3 innings this season for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. The 33-year-old righty hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2010.