What It Means:

Smith missed the first month of the season while recovering from a flexor tendon strain and made just three appearances before hitting the disabled list again earlier this month. Now, he'll be sidelined through the early part of next season. It's a brutal blow for the Boston Red Sox, who acquired Smith from the Seattle Mariners over the winter in hopes he would be one of their most valuable late-inning arms. They could be in the market for a reliever as the summer moves along.

Smith has worked just 2 2/3 innings this season, recording an 18.18 strikeout percentage while surrendering two hits and one run (zero earned).