Smith (back) will begin ramping up baseball activities and was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old didn't make the Opening Day roster, but his return to baseball activities is a good sign after sitting out the past week with a back issue. Smith should provide organizational depth at catcher for the Rays once he's fully recovered.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Smith is heading for further medical testing on a back injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old was briefly sidelined by a back issue earlier in camp, and a new back injury has apparently cropped up. Smith figures to be sidelined for at least a few days while being evaluated.

Smith entered Tuesday's Grapefruit League win over the Red Sox as a pinch hitter and went 2-for-2 with a two-run single and a double.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran backstop played in the Rays' Grapefruit League opener Feb. 28, but he hadn't seen any game action again prior to Tuesday due to back tightness. However, Smith clearly didn't have any rust in his return and is now 3-for-4 with three RBI overall in his first pair of exhibition contests.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Smith has made a full recovery from the back injury that resulted in him being scratched from the lineup ahead of a Grapefruit League game last weekend against the Red Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith needed only a couple of days of rest to move past what was apparently a minor back issue. Cash said Smith would enter Tuesday's rematch with Boston as a reserve before starting behind the plate Thursday versus Atlanta.

Smith was scratched from Friday's spring game against the Red Sox due to back tightness, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old was slated to start behind the plate and bat sixth, but he'll instead take some time to recover from the injury. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, so Smith could return to the field relatively quickly if he avoids any further problems. Joe Odom replaced him in the lineup for Tampa Bay.

Smith agreed Monday with the Rays on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay dropped Smith from its 40-man roster earlier this offseason, but the backstop will still get the opportunity to compete for a job with the big club this spring. He'll be battling Mike Zunino and offseason pickups Francisco Mejia and Joe Odom for one of the Rays' two catching spots.

Smith cleared waivers and was released by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith served as the Rays third catcher this season and went 8-for-31 with one home run and three doubles in 17 games. There's apparently some interest in re-signing the 32-year-old, which makes sense with top catchers Mike Zunino and Michael Perez also no longer on the team.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran backstop gave fellow catcher Michael Perez a breather Sunday and made good use of the opportunity, slugging a 426-foot shot to left field with Willy Adames aboard in the fourth. Smith has now appeared in seven September games (five starts) while helping out behind the dish in the absence of Mike Zunino (oblique), but he could well head back to the alternate training site in Port Charlotte once the latter jumps back into action.

Smith, who was just recalled from the Rays' alternate training site on Saturday, went 1-for-3 with an RBI fielder's choice, a double and two walks in a win over the Marlins on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith made some noise out of the bottom of the order in his first taste of major-league action since Aug. 8. The veteran backstop is up from the alternate training site due to the oblique issue that landed Mike Zunino on the injured list, so he should see some solid playing time for the next 10 days at minimum while splitting catching duties with Michael Perez.

Smith was called up from the Rays' alternate training site Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith along with Brian O'Grady were called up when Ryan Yarbrough (groin) and Mike Zunino (oblique) were placed on the 10-day injured list. Smith is 1-for-1 with a walk and two RBI this season and figures to share catching duties with Michael Perez while Zunino is on the shelf.