4 years agoNew York Mets outfielder/first baseman Dominic Smith is scheduled to play left field for the first time in Grapefruit League action Friday. The Mets had reportedly been holding Smith back from playing in the outfield this spring to avoid injury and/or burning him out coming off the shortened 2020 season. With no designated hitter in the NL for 2021, Smith's pathway to regular playing time this season will be in left field. He should have ample time to ramp up in the field ahead of Opening Day. While Smith can potentially return 30-plus HR and 80-90 RBI over the course of a full season, those numbers should be discounted slightly due to inherent playing time risk for Smith. He will likely share some time in left field with Brandon Nimmo and/or J.D. Davis, or be removed late in games for defense, over the course of the 2021 season.--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller
Source: Anthony DiComo on Twitter