OAKLAND -- Outfielder Jake Smolinski, who was out of action for much of this past season after undergoing right shoulder surgery and was thus considered a non-tender candidate, will be back with the A's in 2018 on a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.
Smolinski's contract is worth $775,000, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Monday morning.
Smolinksi will be one of several players vying for an outfield job and presents a right-handed-hitting platoon partner for right fielder Matt Joyce. Smolinski can also play center field, a position of surplus for these A's, with Dustin Fowler, Chad Pinder, Boog Powell and Mark Canha also in the mix.
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The 28-year-old Smolinski had the labrum in his throwing shoulder repaired in March and was expected to miss the whole season, but he rehabbed his way back into action in September, appearing in 16 games and collecting seven hits in 27 at-bats. To make up for lost time, Smolinski also suited up for winter ball, batting .184 in 13 games for Yaquis de Obregon of the Mexican Pacific League.
Back in 2016, Smolinski hit .238 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 99 games with Oakland, and he's a career .243 hitter in 215 Major League games -- including .299 against lefties.
How the A's utilize him next year is partly dependent on their actions this offseason. After trading Ryon Healy to Seattle, they're expected to move Khris Davis into a semi-permanent DH role and seek a corner outfield bat.
The A's have seven other players who are arbitration-eligible this offseason: Davis, shortstop Marcus Semien, catcher Josh Phegley and pitchers Kendall Graveman, Blake Treinen, Chris Hatcher and Liam Hendriks.