Pitcher Birch Smith (35), who was released due to injury after only one game with the Hanwha Eagles in the 2023 KBO League, did not make the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening roster.

Pittsburgh made roster adjustments after finishing the final exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins on the 25th (Korean time). Five players, including pitchers Thomas Harrington, Carson Fulmer, Smith, Tanner Raeter, and first baseman/outfielder DJ Stewart, were sent down to minor league camp.

With a total of 32 players remaining in major league camp, Pittsburgh must finalize their roster of 26 before the season opener against the Miami Marlins on the 28th. A maximum of 13 pitchers can be registered, and currently, 14 position players remain with Pittsburgh. Infielder Spencer Horwitz is expected to be placed on the injured list after undergoing surgery on his right wrist earlier last month, making it likely that Korean outfielder Bae Ji-hwan will make the opening roster.

While Bae Ji-hwan survived until the end, pitcher Smith, who has ties with Korea, was demoted to the minors, leading to contrasting fortunes. Smith signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh in January and joined the spring training as a non-roster invitee.

He made two relief appearances in the exhibition games. On the 19th against the Philadelphia Phillies, he pitched 1 inning, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 2 without giving up a run. Although he faced a bases-loaded situation with 2 outs, he struck out the batter and ended the inning without yielding a run, showcasing a maximum fastball speed of 96.2 mph (154.8 km) and an average of 94.6 mph (152.2 km).

He followed up with a performance against the Boston Red Sox on the 22nd, pitching 1 inning, striking out 2 batters, and completing the inning without giving up a run. Despite recording 4 strikeouts and allowing no runs in 2 innings over 2 games, he missed out on making the opening roster.

Smith is considered one of the worst foreign players in KBO League history. He signed a new foreign player contract with Hanwha for $1 million ($800,000 guaranteed) in 2023 and was expected to be a top starter, but it ended after just one game.

In the season opener on April 1 of that year against Kiwoom, he pitched only 2⅔ innings and threw just 60 pitches. Smith voluntarily left the game due to shoulder pain, and further examinations revealed a slight muscle injury in his shoulder. Fortunately, it was determined that there would be no significant hindrance to pitching, but after receiving injection treatment, Smith could not progress beyond the catch ball stage.

Hanwha, which had fallen to the bottom early in the season and had a busy road ahead, could not wait indefinitely for Smith. They quickly decided to release him, and furious Hanwha fans bombarded Smith's social media. In response, Smith stirred controversy by leaving a comment, "Hope all is well in the garbage country."

Fleeing back to the U.S., Smith resumed his career in the Dominican Winter League that winter. After signing a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays in January of the previous year, he struggled in exhibition games but was traded to the Miami Marlins in cash, utilizing the contract clause. He entered the opening roster and pitched as a bullpen support, but was released in mid-June.

In the meantime, fulfilling the five-year service time requirement, Smith received a salary of $1 million before leaving Miami and signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. After being called up in mid-July, he was utilized as a key reliever and demonstrated his presence. His overall performance for the previous season included 50 games (56⅓ innings), with a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 4 holds, along with an earned run average of 4.95 and 46 strikeouts. It was a fairly decent record as a semi-key reliever.

However, he was placed on the injured list at the end of the season in September due to a right adductor muscle injury, closing out the season. Just when it seemed he would have a healthy full-time season without injuries, he ended up with injuries again at the last minute. Smith has faced injuries throughout his career, including Tommy John surgery on his elbow in 2015, injuries to his arm in 2020, groin in 2021, side in 2022, finger, and shoulder in 2023.

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