Dwight Smith Jr. "ecstatic" to join Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dwight Smith Jr. has reported to the Orioles after yesterday's trade and is waiting for his first chance to get in the lineup.

Smith was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays earlier this week and the Orioles acquired him for international signing bonus slot funds. He's wearing No. 35.

"I was surprised when it happened," he said. "When I heard the news I was ecstatic to come over here and just get the opportunity to play and just help in whatever way I can."

Whether Smith, 26, turns into minor league depth - he has an option left - or actually breaks camp with the team will play out over the next few weeks. He isn't conceding anything.

"I feel like as long as you have a uniform on there's always an opportunity," he said, "so I just want to take the best with it and run with it from there."

Smith's only hit in 12 at-bats this spring had a two-run single off Orioles minor leaguer Diogenes Almengo on Feb. 24. He's 2-for-6 with a double and RBI against the Orioles in the regular season.

"I know a couple guys," he said. "I played against them, some in the minor league and some in the big leagues. I'm getting to know everybody, so that's always different."

Smith already has Orioles ties through his father, an eight-year major leaguer who played in 28 games with them in 1994 and batted .311/.363/.486.

"I always was around him," Smith said. "I followed him all the time. I was always right next to him anytime I was in the locker room."

His father was more likely to carry him during those Orioles days. Smith turned 2 years old in October 1994.

News of the trade was met favorably by the elder Smith, who apparently has fond memories of his brief time in Baltimore.

"He asked me what team it was and was it a team he used to play with," Smith said. "I said yeah and said it was the Orioles and he was ecstatic about the move and he just can't wait to come up here and see me play."

They talked about Camden Yards, which also was 2 years old in '94.

"He said, 'You'll like it, it's going to be a great thing for you, so just take it and just have fun with it,'" Smith said.

Retirement four years later after a brief stint with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Rochester allowed the elder Smith to spend more time with his son, who grew to become a first-round pick in the 2011 draft.

"He's everything to me," Smith said. "He was my coach, my dad, my best friend, everything. I learned everything through him."

* Left-hander Josh Rogers makes his first spring start on Sunday against the Phillies, with the pitchers listed behind him including Luis Ortiz, Miguel Castro, Paul Fry and Branden Kline.

Mike Wright starts Tuesday night against the Yankees in Tampa.

Left-hander Richard Bleier makes his spring debut tonight following June lat surgery and a lengthy rehab process.