Smith could be the favorite to close games for the Brewers in 2016 following Wednesday's trade that shipped Francisco Rodriguez to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Of course, the Brewers could trade Smith as well, as he will be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter. However, if they hold Smith, he is statistically the best reliever on the roster, and has the stuff to handle the ninth. He had a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 63.1 innings as a setup man last year, so there is a lot to like here from a fantasy perspective if Smith is getting saves. Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel could also be in the mix if the Brewers don't go with Smith in the ninth inning.

Smith will be reinstated from his suspension Thursday. Smith was caught using a foreign substance and originally suspended eight games before his appeal reduced it to six games. Neal Cotts took over as the top lefty out of the bullpen for the Brewers, but Smith is eligible to make an appearance Thursday against the Nationals.

Smith's suspension has been reduced from eight to six games, and he'll begin serving it Friday night. Smith, who was caught using a foreign substance, will be eligible to return for Thursday's game against the Nationals. In his absence, Neal Cotts will be the top lefty out of the Milwaukee bullpen.

Smith's appeal of his eight-game suspension will take place Monday, Fox Sports Wisconsin's Andrew Gruman reports. Upon the completion of the appeal he will begin serving whatever suspension is handed down. Look for him to be unavailable for all or most of next week.

Smith was handed an eight-game suspension, which he will appeal, for having a foreign substance on his arm while pitching in Thursday's game, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports. He will get to keep pitching for now until the appeal is heard or dropped. Smith should be available for Friday's contest against the Braves considering he faced just one batter (plus one pitch) in Thursday's game.

Smith recorded just one out in Sunday's victory over the Cubs but picked up his first win of the season in the process. Smith was needed for the final out of the seventh inning in Sunday's game, and the Brewers were able to take and hold the lead after that, giving him his first win of 2015. Smith has allowed just two earned runs -- both in the same game -- over 8.2 innings in 12 appearances out of the Brewers' bullpen this season.

Smith has not allowed a run, let alone a baserunner, through four appearances out of the Brewers' bullpen. Opposing hitters have had a tough time with Smith, who has not allowed a hit while posting a 5:0 K:BB ratio through 2.2 innings. He tired a bit last season due to overuse, but manager Ron Roenicke does not appear concerned about burning him out, using Smith in four of the Brewers' first seven games. He is no better than second in line for saves behind closer Francisco Rodriguez, but he is the top left-hander out of the Brewers' bullpen.

Smith is expected to open the 2015 season sharing the setup duties for the Brewers with Jonathan Broxton, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports. Smith and Broxton will both be used to help get the ball to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who officially re-joined the Brewers on Thursday. Smith had dominant stretches last season and finished fourth in the league with 30 holds, but he seemed overworked at times while appearing in 78 games, so look for manager Ron Roenicke to be a little more conservative with him this time around.

Will Smith (back) is available out of the Brewers' bullpen Sunday. Smith has dealt with a back issue in recent days but is past them now. He's struggled recently with nine runs allowed over his last five appearances.

Will Smith was unavailable for Friday's game against the Nationals due to back spasms. Manager Ron Roenicke didn't sound overly concerned about the injury, so consider the hard-throwing southpaw day-to-day.