Independent ball is usually a last-ditch effort for ballplayers looking for another shot. It was for Josh Smoker in 2014. But it also allowed him to prepare his body the way he felt he needed to, the way he felt best helped his twice-repaired left shoulder recover.
“When I was with the Nationals, they’re more of a bodyweight, free-weight-type workout,” said Smoker, whom the Pirates acquired from the New York Mets Wednesday in exchange for minor league pitcher Daniel Zamora and cash, by phone. “I wasn’t able to lift as much as I would have liked to with them.