Smolinski is nearing agreement on a contract with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization, Sung Min Kim of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinski will be released from his minor-league contract with the Rays once his deal with the Korean club is finalized. The outfielder appeared in 67 games for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham this season, slashing. 270/.360/.504 with 12 home runs and nine steals.

Smolinski was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinski came up short in his bid for an Opening Day roster spot after struggling to a .211/.250/.421 line through 18 spring games. The 30-year-old will open the season in the minors, though he could earn a promotion should injuries strike the big club.

Smolinski is now hitting .286 (8-for-28) this spring after going 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run in a 7-3 split-squad win over the Tigers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran outfielder's exhibition resume includes two doubles, a pair of home runs and four RBI. Smolinski has made a solid case for himself with his opportunity as a non-roster invitee to camp, but he still faces an uphill battle for an Opening Day spot in a crowded Rays outfield. The 30-year-old could certainly serve as organizational depth to open the season in Triple-A Durham, however, and would give the team a quality callup option in the event of an injury.

Smolinski signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinksi spent the past three and a half seasons in Oakland, hitting a combined .227/.287/.357 across 175 games with the A's before being outrighted off the roster in October. The 29-year-old figures to serve as organizational outfield depth for the Rays in 2019.

Smolinski (calf) was activated from the 60-day disabled list and outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinski missed the final two months of the 2018 season due to a blood clot in his left calf. When healthy, the outfielder struggled to a .128/.171/.205 slash line across 19 games with the Athletics. The move frees up space on the team's 40-man roster for prospects in need of protection from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Smolinski was recalled from Triple-A Nashville and then moved to the 60-day disabled list with a blood clot in his left calf.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinski likely won't play again this season after landing on the 60-day disabled list. He struggled to a .128 average with two-extra-base hits and two RBI through 20 games with the big club. Shawn Kelley is set to take Smolinski's place on the 40-man roster.

Smolinski was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinski was moved off the active roster in order to make room for Matt Joyce, who was reinstated from the 10-day DL (back) prior to Friday's doubleheader. Through 20 games with the Athletics this season, Smolinski is slashing just .128/.171/.205 and barely played during his latest stay in the big leagues.

The Athletics recalled Smolinski from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Since being dropped from the Athletics' active roster in mid-May, Smolinski has caught fire at the plate for Nashville, posting a .931 OPS over 21 games. With Matt Joyce (back) on the disabled list, Smolinski will give the Athletics a fresh body on the outfield, but he'll likely struggle to find consistent at-bats.

Smolinski went 3-for-3 with two solo home runs in Triple-A Nashville's win over Round Rock on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old had been struggling after a hot start with the Sounds earlier in May, but he snapped out of his slump Thursday by closing out the month with a flourish. While his average sits at a mediocre .245, Smolinski sports an impressive .531 slugging percentage thanks in large part to his six extra-base hits (two doubles, four home runs) across 13 games. The veteran could find himself back up with the Athletics at some point this season if injuries strike the outfield at the big-league level.

Smolinski is 5-for-9 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and two runs over the last two games for Triple-A Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

Smolinski was demoted to the Sounds last Wednesday after Trevor Cahill (elbow) was activated from the disabled list, and he went hitless over four at-bats in his first game Thursday. However, he caught fire in a Friday victory over Oklahoma City, going 4-for-5 with a pair of two-baggers. He then accounted for all of Nashville's scoring in a Saturday loss, launching a seventh-inning, two-run home run. Smolinski could certainly find himself back with the big-league club at some point this season, but his initial 2018 Athletics tenure was utterly forgettable (.118/.167/.206 over 36 plate appearances).