PORT ST. LUCIE — It’s been a while since Pete Alonso played with Dom Smith, who has bounced around the league since leaving the Mets in 2022.
But now Smith is trying to win a roster spot with the crosstown Yankees, and due in part to Giancarlo Stanton being out indefinitely with injuries to both elbows, there’s potential the lefty-swinging Smith will be in The Bronx on Opening Day after signing a minor league deal in the offseason.
And although Alonso doesn’t keep in touch with his former teammate like he used to, he’s pulling for the 29-year-old, who split last season with the Reds and Red Sox and has three homers for the Yankees this spring.
“I’m really happy for him that he’s having a good camp,’’ Alonso said of Smith, who was once considered the Mets first baseman of the future- until Alonso came along.
“Dom is a really good player and I hope they let him break with the team and give him a ton of at-bats,” Alonso said.
Smith is battling Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra, both also lefty hitters, for at least part-time DH duties to start the season after the right-handed Everson Pereira was sent to minor league camp as he plays his way back from Tommy John surgery.
Rice and Escarra can provide depth behind the plate, backing up Austin Wells, and there’s always the distinct possibility the Yankees add a righty-swinging option before the end of spring training.
For now, though, Smith remains in the mix.
His career peaked in 2020, when he got some MVP votes during the COVID-shortened season, when he was still platooning at first with Alonso.
There once was a bit of a debate about how the Mets should handle the position moving forward before Alonso became the full-time first baseman for good in 2021.
He’s back in Queens again after a rough foray into free agency, but Smith has had a much more circuitous journey through the majors since being non-tendered by the Mets following the 2022 season.
Smith has appeared in big league games for Washington, Cincinnati and Boston, but has also spent time with the Cubs and Rays before joining the Yankees in January.
“The one thing with Dom is he always has a great attitude and makes everyone smile,’’ Alonso said. “That’s always consistent with him. He makes everyone around him want to be better. He has a very positive personality and there’s a lot he can do to help a team.”
And Alonso hopes that happens with the Yankees.
“I really want him to do well for them and crush it over there,’’ Alonso said. “People in New York love him. I hope they give him some runway once the season starts and not just in camp and that he finds success. He deserves it.”
