Matt

Smith

The 27-year-old Smith didn’t give up a run in 12 innings of relief for the Yankees earlier this season, helping his stock. He’ll likely be an adequate middle reliever or lefty specialist for a few years. The Phillies will probably bring him to the majors right away, as fellow left-handers Arthur Rhodes, Aaron Fultz and Rheal Cormier are all candidates to be traded.

Smith pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings in 17 days with the Yankees last month. He’ll be the third lefty in the Yankee pen.

Smith was just sent down a week ago, but he’s eligible to be recalled because Darrell Rasner was placed on the DL. He’ll pitch in middle relief.

Smith didn’t pitch during his two days with the Yankees.

Smith gives the Phillies a fourth lefty in the bullpen for the first time since the Rheal Cormier trade. He pitched 12 scoreless innings for the Yankees before being included in the Bobby Abreu deal.

He’ll have to do better than a 0.00 ERA next time. Smith hasn’t given up a run in 12 innings this season, but the Yankees still demoted him to make room for Aaron Guiel.

Smith will be examined by doctors in the next week to make sure the elbow issue isn’t more serious than just tendinitis.

Smith was supposed to be a key part of Philadelphia’s bullpen this year after coming over in the Bobby Abreu trade last season, but he had a lousy spring and then opened the year with a 1/11 K/BB ratio in nine appearances. He had spent the last two months in the minors before being shut down recently with what was called tendinitis. It seems unlikely that he’ll be ready for the start of 2008.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for So Taguchi. We would have dropped John Ennis or Anderson Garcia before Smith, but it’s probably not going to make much of a difference. Smith is recovering from Tommy John surgery and figures to miss the first half of the season.

Smith won’t get much work, but he’ll probably make his major league debut at some point before Aaron Small gets back and takes the roster spot. The 26-year-old southpaw had pitched 3 2/3 hitless innings for Columbus.