PHILADELPHIA -- Among the essential things to know about Will Smith is that his ability to laugh at himself is as durable as his throwing arm.
The left-hander, who joined the Giants from Milwaukee in one of the two deals they engineered before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, made 154 appearances in 2014-15, including a National League-high 78 in 2014.
"I think it all goes back to my two years with Francisco Rodríguez in Milwaukee," Smith said. "He taught the whole bullpen to have pride in getting your body ready every day. Some days it takes more work; some days it takes less work. But if you put in the work to get ready every day, you'll have a successful career."
Hampered by a sprained right knee that he sustained during Spring Training, the 27-year-old Smith has made only 28 appearances this season. He hurt himself under the most innocuous of circumstances: changing his shoes. The injury sidelined him for the season's first 52 games.
Recalled Smith, "I was laying on the trainer's table the next day and [Brewers pitcher] Tyler Thornburg took a cleat, threw it in the trash and took a picture of it. He said, 'We got your back, Will.' From then on, I said, 'I might as well have a sense of humor.' There's no sense being mad for two months."
Smith also has heard every possible pun about sharing a name with the famed comic actor.
"We had '90s Night in Milwaukee and they had fun with it," he said. "I've heard all the jokes."