Astros add lefty Will Smith to WS roster, drop Seth Martinez

HOUSTON -- The Astros added veteran left-handed reliever Will Smith to their World Series roster prior to Game 1 of the Fall Classic on Friday. Smith was not on the roster for either the American League Division Series or the AL Championship Series.

The addition of Smith, who took the place of rookie right-hander Seth Martinez, was the only change to Houston’s roster from the ALCS sweep of the Yankees. The Astros are still carrying 13 pitchers and 13 position players for the World Series.

Smith, acquired from the Braves in exchange for pitcher Jake Odorizzi at the Trade Deadline, appeared in 24 games for the Astros and posted a 3.27 ERA in 22 innings, striking out 24 batters. For the season, he had a 3.97 ERA in 65 games with both Atlanta and Houston.

Smith got the Astros' Yuli Gurriel to ground out for the final out of the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Park and is attempting to become the 10th player to win a World Series in consecutive years with two teams. The four lefties in Philadelphia’s lineup haven’t fared well against Smith in his career: Bryce Harper (2-for-14, six strikeouts), Kyle Schwarber (1-for-3, two strikeouts), Brandon Marsh (0-for-2, two strikeouts) and Bryson Stott (0-for-2, one strikeout).

• Postseason ticket information

Here is the 26-man roster:

Pitchers (13): Right-handers Bryan Abreu, Hunter Brown, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Rafael Montero, Héctor Neris, Ryan Pressly, Ryne Stanek, José Urquidy and Justin Verlander; left-handers Will Smith and Framber Valdez

Catchers (2): Martín Maldonado and Christian Vázquez

Infielders (8): Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Aledmys Díaz, Mauricio Dubón, Yuli Gurriel, David Hensley, Trey Mancini and Jeremy Peña

Outfielders (3): Yordan Alvarez, Chas McCormick and Kyle Tucker