Matt Smith (baseball)

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**Matt Smith**

Philadelphia Phillies — No. 40
Relief pitcher
Born: June 15, 1979 (1979-06-15) (age 28)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
April 14, 2006 for the New York Yankees
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Win-Loss	0-1
Earned Run Average	2.55
Strikeouts	22
Teams
New York Yankees (2006) Philadelphia Phillies (2006-2007)

Matthew J. Smith (born June 15, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is a left-handed relief pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He graduated from Bishop Gorman Highschool, where he played baseball. Was a 3-year letter winner and is the all-time leader in strikeouts (348) at OSU...Named to the Big 12 Second Team twice and First Team once. One of his favorite hobbies is golf.

He was drafted in the 44th round (1310th overall) in the 1997 amateur entry draft by the Chicago White Sox.

He split the 2005 season with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder, and the Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. In 47 games, he pitched 82 1/3 innings, posting a 2.65 ERA and a (5-4) record. Smith made his major-league debut on April 14, 2006 against the Minnesota Twins and recorded one out before being removed from the game.

Smith and three other players were traded in 2006 by the Yankees to the Phillies in exchange for Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle. Smith pitched in 14 games for the Phillies in 2006.

In 2007, Smith pitched in nine games for the Phillies, compiling an 11.25 ERA before being optioned to the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx in late April. Smith went 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA and one save before being placed on the disabled list retroactively to June 13. Smith underwent Tommy John surgery on July 4, 2007. Smith was designated for assignment on January 4, 2008, but was later outrighted and invited to Spring Training on January 15.