Reds claim LHP Smith; DFA C Graterol

CINCINNATI -- The Reds claimed left-handed pitcher Josh D. Smith off waivers from the Marlins on Wednesday. To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Juan Graterol was designated for assignment.

When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.

In 14 big league games during 2019 for Cleveland and Miami, Smith had a 6.39 ERA over 12 2/3 innings. The Marlins claimed him off waivers on Sept. 14. Smith is not the pitcher of the same name (Josh A. Smith) that was with the Reds in 2015-16.

The Reds claimed Graterol off waivers from the Twins shortly after the 2018 season. When the club’s catching depth was decimated by injuries in July, he was called up from Triple-A Louisville and went 4-for-18 in six games. He missed two months while in the concussion protocol after he took two foul balls off his mask on July 24 at Milwaukee.