Carson Smith to undergo Tommy John surgery

Red Sox reliever Carson Smith will undergo Tommy John surgery, according to a team announcement. Smith will miss the rest of the season and most of the 2017 campaign as well.

Smith, 26, appeared in only three games (2.2 innings) with the Sox this year after being acquired from the Mariners in a trade for Wade Miley during the Winter Meetings last December. Smith was supposed to be part of a three-headed bullpen monster along with Koji Uehara and fellow newcomer Craig Kimbrel, but struggled with injuries throughout the beginning of the season and now will sit out for a substantial amount of time.

Smith is slated to be a free agent after the 2020 season, so Boston will look to cash in on their end of the trade with the Mariners from 2018 to 2020. The Red Sox also acquired Roenis Elias in the deal, though the lefty has struggled mightily at Triple-A Pawtucket this year.

Smith posted a 2.31 ERA in 70 innings for the Mariners last season, his first full campaign in the majors. For his career, he owns a 2.00 ERA in 81 innings of major-league work.