Smith (ankle) reported to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

EDGE Analysis

Smith landed on the shelf last week with a bone bruise in his left ankle, and the start of a rehab assignment indicates it won't be a long stay on the injured list. The 25-year-old should only require a couple games in the minors and should rejoin the A's this weekend.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Smith (ankle) took part in full baseball activities Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith, who is recovering from a bone bruise in his left ankle, was able to take batting practice in the cage and field grounders at third base as part of an extended workout. Kotsay said after the workout that Smith could soon head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment before potentially returning from the 10-day injured list at some point next weekend.

The Athletics placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a bone bruise in his left ankle, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was spotted with his left ankle in a walking boot Tuesday, so his move to the IL a day later doesn't come as a major surprise. The rookie infielder has gotten off to a rough start to 2022, slashing .161/.212/.226 with a 30.3 percent strikeout rate across 33 plate appearances. Smith's absence for at least the next week and a half should give Sheldon Neuse more job security as the Athletics' primary third baseman.

Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles and is wearing a protective walking boot, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old apparently suffered the injury during Monday's contest on a feet-first slide, though he never actually exited the contest. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, and Smith should be considered day-to-day until his status is updated.

Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Smith started the past six games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-19 with two doubles, two walks, an RBI and three runs during that stretch. Sheldon Neuse will start at the hot corner Tuesday with righty Chris Ellis on the mound for Baltimore.

Smith went 2-for-3 with a double in a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith drew the start at third base and made good use of it, mustering the Athletics' only multi-hit effort of the night. The 25-year-old went 0-for-16 over his first five appearances of the season, but he's bounced back to go 3-for-6 with Friday's two-bagger, a walk and two runs over his last two games and has now drawn three straight starts.

Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

For the second straight day, Smith will take a seat with the Rays bringing a right-handed starting pitcher (Tommy Romero) to the hill. At least for the time being, the 25-year-old rookie may have been surpassed on the depth chart at third base by Sheldon Neuse, who started in Monday's 13-2 win and went 3-for-5 with a grand slam. Prior to Monday, Smith had started in each of Oakland's first three games and went 0-for-11 with six strikeouts.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith started each of Oakland's first three games at third base, going hitless with six strikeouts across 11 at-bats. Manager Mark Kotsay will give Sheldon Neuse a look at the position Monday, and if Neuse finds some success, Smith could end up moving into more of a timeshare at the hot corner.

Smith, who's been competing with Sheldon Neuse for the third base job, could still make the Opening Day roster alongside his teammate, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's virtually inconceivable that Neuse doesn't break camp with the Athletics after yet another stellar day at the plate Sunday that included a grand slam and pushed his Cactus League average to .379. However, Smith hasn't exactly underwhelmed himself, hitting .333 (12-for-36) with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI across 15 exhibitions. Additionally, both he and Neuse can play multiple positions in the infield, which Gallegos notes certainly ups the chances of both making the Opening Day roster.

Smith, who arrived from the Blue Jays in the Matt Chapman trade Wednesday, is one of the primary candidates to fill the Athletics' third base job, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old was in line to compete for the Blue Jays' starting third base job before the trade, and he now reportedly has a strong chance of succeeding the player he was moved for. Smith has also logged plenty of time at shortstop during his minor-league career, but he's already made 14 big-league appearances at the hot corner, all last season. Smith struggled with the bat during his 18-game cup of coffee with Toronto (.094/.194/.188 slash line), but he'd earned the promotion courtesy of his .285 average, .931 OPS, 52 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 94 games at Triple-A Buffalo.