Red Sox to designate fan favorite first baseman for assignment

The Boston Red Sox are set to take on the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at Camden Yards, but before they announce their lineup, a roster move has been reported.

According to MLB Insider Robert Murray, the Red Sox are designating first baseman Dom Smith for assignment.

Smith, 29, signed with Boston back in May to split first base opportunities with Garrett Cooper when Triston Casas went down with torn cartilage in his ribs. While Smith started out slow, he eventually won the job and finished pretty well, hitting .237 with a .706 OPS, six home runs and 34 RBIs in 83 games. His immediate connection to the fan base was palpable and something he talked about frequently.

With Casas expected to return on Friday , this move isn't a huge surprise, but some believed he had done enough to keep his spot on the roster.

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