Orioles acquire Dwight Smith Jr. from Blue Jays

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles turned more international signing bonus slots into a trade acquisition, landing outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from the Blue Jays. The announcement came this afternoon.

Smith has slashed .293/.365/.467 in 47 games with the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. He was selected in the first round (53rd overall) of the 2011 draft out of McIntosh (Ga.) High School.

"Dwight Smith is a young outfielder with a strong track record of performance and a plus-hit tool from the left side," executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said in a statement.

"We like adding him to what has become a deep and varied outfield mix in camp."

Manager Brandon Hyde spent part of today's postgame session with the media again praising the outfielders. The competition for roster spots has been intense, with standouts including Austin Hays, Anthony Santander, Yusniel Diaz and Joey Rickard. Cedric Mullins has been slow to break out offensively but possesses tools that the team covets and put a few on display today.

Santander and Mullins are switch-hitters and veteran Eric Young Jr. bats from the left side, as Smith does. Young is a non-roster invitee.

Smith, 26, has gone 1-for-12 this spring, and both his RBIs came against the Orioles on a two-run single off minor leaguer Diogenes Almengo on Feb. 24 - the runs charged to Tanner Scott. He's a career .268/.344/.402 hitter in 725 minor league games and topped out at 15 home runs with Double-A New Hampshire in 2016.

The Orioles like versatility, and Smith has played all three outfield spots, with most of his experience at the corners. The Blue Jays used him mostly in left.

Smith became available after the Blue Jays designated him for assignment earlier this week and announced the signing of veteran pitcher Clay Buchholz.

Elias previously has used the bonus slots this spring to acquire minor league pitchers David Lebron from the Rangers and Xavier Moore from the Twins. Smith provides more depth in the organization and he has one minor league option remaining.

Smith's father, also a left-handed hitting outfielder, played eight seasons in the majors. He appeared in 28 games with the Orioles in 1994 and batted .311/.363/.486 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 80 plate appearances.

The Orioles acquired him from the Angels for a player-to-be-named-later who turned into minor league outfielder Bo Ortiz, and he signed with the Braves as a free agent in April 1995.

Left-hander Josh Osich was designated for assignment today to create space for Smith on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles claimed Osich off waivers from the Giants on Feb. 19 and he tossed two scoreless innings with two hits allowed.

Donnie Hart was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers yesterday, and Osich becomes the latest left-hander reliever peeled off the spring roster. The Orioles could break camp with three in their bullpen - Richard Bleier, Scott and Paul Fry.