Smith went 1-for-3 with a double and a run in a loss to the Tigers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith had one of only two extra-base hits for the Athletics on Thursday, with his two-bagger serving as his third during his current big-league stint. Smith has seen near-everyday playing time since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sept. 5, but the same issues that have plagued him in prior samples against big-league arms persist -- the 27-year-old has just a .212 average across 36 plate appearances, with that figure largely the byproduct of a bloated 38.9 percent strikeout rate.

Smith will sit for the second straight game Saturday against San Diego.

EDGE Analysis

Smith hasn't done much to stake a claim for regular at-bats during his 42 games at the big-league level this season, slashing .200/.233/.357. Aledmys Diaz will start at third base Saturday, with Nick Allen starting at shortstop.

Smith is not in the lineup Friday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Jordan Diaz will start at third base and bat sixth as Nick Allen plays shortstop and hits eighth. Smith, 27, has slashed just .200/.233/.357 across 125 major-league plate appearances this year with the Athletics.

Smith is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Smith is hitting .278 with one home run, two doubles and nine strikeouts in five games since getting recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sept. 5. He could continue to see fairly steady work down the stretch, but Smith's elevated strikeout rate makes him a very volatile option over the rest of the season.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in a win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Just recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Smith paid immediate dividends via a 398-foot shot to left center in the sixth inning with Jordan Diaz and Carlos Perez aboard. The 27-year-old had been running hot at the plate for the Aviators during his just-concluded 19-game stint on the farm, slashing .351/.392/.635 with nine extra-base hits and 20 RBI. However, Smith has raked in the hitter-friendly environment of the PCL before and then sputtered against big-league arms, so Wednesday's breakout represented a particularly encouraging start to his latest stay with the Athletics.

The Athletics recalled Smith from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith will come up from the minors to replace Lawrence Butler, who was placed on the bereavement list Tuesday. The 27-year-old Smith is slashing .324/.372/.653 through 183 plate appearances in the minors this season, but his success has yet to translate over into the big leagues with just a .546 OPS in 94 at-bats this season.

Smith is hitting .392 with six home runs and 19 RBI over the 76 plate appearances he's logged with Triple-A Las Vegas since being optioned to the Aviators on Aug. 5.

EDGE Analysis

Smith also has a pair of steals and walks apiece along with 15 runs over that 18-game span, which comes on the heels of a six-game rehab assignment with the Aviators where he posted a .381 average and 1.123 OPS. The 27-year-old's big-league body of work has been in stark contrast to those numbers, however, as Smith has a forgettable .191/.216/.330 slash line over 34 games with the Athletics this season. Consequently, it's uncertain a non-contending team like Oakland will invest a spot in Smith when rosters expand Sept. 1,

Smith (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday and optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old is fully recovered from the back strain that sent him to the injured list in mid-June, but he won't rejoin the big club now that he's healthy. Smith has appeared in 34 MLB games this season and has a .191/.216/.330 slash line and 33.3 percent strikeout rate in 102 plate appearances.

Smith (back) started at second base and played the entirety of Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Albuquerque on Friday, going 1-for-5.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has now played consecutive full games on defense for the first time in his rehab assignment, seemingly teeing up a return to the big-league club. The infielder, who's been out since mid-June with a back strain, has hit .381 (8-for-21) with a double, two home runs, five RBI, a walk and four runs across six rehab games with the Aviators.

Smith (back) went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Albuquerque on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's batting line was certainly noteworthy, but equally important was the fact he played a full game at shortstop after logging seven innings at second base Tuesday. Assuming Smith doesn't experience any residual effects from playing defense in back-to-back rehab games for the first time, he could be deemed ready for activation before week's end.