First baseman Dominic Smith will remain with the New York Yankees organization. Smith had opted-out of his contract after a strong spring training but Greg Joyce of the New York Post reported that he had agreed to a minor-league contract with the team on Monday.

Smith, a non-roster invitee with the Yankees, had been bothered by his right hand for the previous four or five years. He played through soreness, taped himself up and used a wrist widget to limit his hand’s movement. The constant care didn’t prevent the veteran from breaking his hamate bone on a live batting practice swing in January 2024, though.

First baseman Dominic Smith opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees on Friday, a source confirmed to ESPN, deciding to become a free agent after a productive spring with the club.