Sources: Reds to sign former Red Sox 1B Smith

First baseman Dominic Smith is signing with the Cincinnati Reds after being released earlier this week by the Boston Red Sox, sources told ESPN.

The 29-year-old Smith, who held down Boston’s first-base job for a majority of the season, was let go after the return of Triston Casas, who had spent the previous four months on the injured list.

Boston manager Alex Cora called Smith performance in Casas’ stead “outstanding,” and while his .237/.317/.390 line with six home runs in 83 games placed his offensive numbers below league average, Smith was well-liked inside Boston’s clubhouse.

The deal with Cincinnati, which is pending physical, adds Smith to a Reds team clinging to hope for a wild-card spot in the National League. At 62-65, the Reds are 5½ games behind Atlanta.

Injuries have eroded the Reds’ infield depth all season. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario, who were expected to receive a significant amount of at-bats at first base, are both on the injured list. Cincinnati had previously acquired first baseman Ty France, who could be the right-handed side of a platoon with the left-handed-hitting Smith, from Seattle.

Smith, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the New York Mets, is a lifetime .247/.314/.405 hitter with 64 home runs in 683 games.