Smith isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Smith went 1-for-11 with a double and two RBI over the first three games this season, but he'll get a day off for the final game of the series. Kyle Lewis will shift to center field with Dee Gordon getting the start in left field.

Smith, who just arrived in summer camp Monday, played all nine innings in Saturday's intrasquad game and went 3-for-5 in the contest, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The fact the speedy outfielder was able to play a full nine in his first taste of game action in months was a welcome sight for manager Scott Servais and Smith himself, who expressed how grateful he was to be back out on the field. Smith also notably wore a mask throughout the entirety of the contest and even for postgame interviews, remarking "you probably won't catch me without it" to reporters. Given his level of participation Saturday, Smith appears to be on track to starting the season as the everyday center fielder as originally projected, something Servais confirmed prior to the game as well.

Smith is expected to be ready to play by Opening Day, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was unable to report to camp until Monday for undisclosed reasons, giving him less than two weeks of practice time before the season begins on July 24 against the Astros. The Mariners are seemingly unconcerned about his readiness for the upcoming season, which should give Smith enough at-bats to have the chance to lead the league in steals for the second straight season.

Smith (undisclosed) was present for the Mariners' workouts Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith wasn't in camp for the first several days for an undisclosed reason, but he arrived at camp and cleared intake testing as he was able to play catch Monday. No reason was given for Smith's absence, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready to suit up for the Mariners when the team opens the season July 24. The 27-year-old should serve as the team's starting center fielder when he's ready to take the field.

Smith, who's ticketed for the starting center field job, has yet to participate in Mariners summer camp workouts, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's absence has not been explained by the team. The Mariners have announced three players tested positive for COVID-19 prior to camp, but there are five players, including Smith, that have yet to participate. It can't be assumed Smith's absence equates to a positive test, but what is clear is that he's currently losing valuable preparation time ahead of the regular season.

Smith made a strong impression on guest outfield instructor Mike Cameron this spring, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cameron notes Smith was one of his best students in spring camp, which also featured guest appearances from past franchise luminaries such as Ken Griffey, Jr, Franklin Gutierrez and Ichiro Suzuki. The speedy outfielder demonstrated "tremendous" improvement in defensive drills, which consisted of fielding live balls off the bat of Suzuki. Smith sported fielding percentages of .984 or better at all three outfield spots in 2019, but Cameron's assessment implies the 26-year-old could be even sharper this coming season. "He's starting to put things together, showed a lot of improvement and Chris Prieto (former outfield coach) contributed a lot to that as did the fact that Mallex works so hard," Cameron said.

Smith's spot on the Opening Day roster was considered secure when spring training was suspended, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The speedy outfielder's Cactus League performance didn't inspire confidence, as he hit .185 (5-for-27) with a double, an RBI, a stolen base and one run across 10 exhibitions. Smith also whiffed on eight occasions, a rather disappointing development considering the 26-year-old came into camp trying to improve on the career-high 24.9 percent strikeout rate he generated in 2019. The lack of spring training numbers notwithstanding, Smith's strong work at the plate over his two seasons in Tampa (2017-18) and elite speed on the basepaths are apparently enough to keep him entrenched as the starting center fielder heading into the campaign.

Smith is hitting .308 (4-for-13) with a double, an RBI and a run over his first five spring games.

EDGE Analysis

Smith opened Cactus League action by going 0-for-5 over his first pair of games, but the speedy outfielder has been swinging a hot bat since. The 26-year-old is expected to head into the 2020 campaign as the starting center fielder, although he'll have to significantly improve on the career-worst .227/.300/.335 line he generated in 2019 to keep a hold of the job over the long term.

Smith and the Mariners avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.35 million deal, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith helped out fantasy owners by stealing 46 bases last season, but he didn't do much other than that. In 134 games, he hit .227/.300/.335 with just six homers.

Smith will sit Friday against Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Smith is slumping to the finish line, going 4-for-50 at the plate over his last 16 games. Dylan Moore starts in center field Friday.