Cincinnati Bolsters Bullpen By Adding Career Saves Leader

Lee Smith is bound for the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, but not as the Reds’ closer.

Smith, who holds the major-league record with 471 career saves, was traded to the Reds - his seventh team - by the California Angels for left-hander Chuck McElroy.

Smith, 38, said earlier this season he would ask to be traded or would retire if he wasn’t the Angels’ closer.

But he won’t be Cincinnati’s stopper, either.

“I’m not going to promise him that he’s closing,” Reds manager Ray Knight said. “I respect and trust Jeff Brantley too much. He’s my closer. We’ll go with Brantley when he’s fresh and have Smith to complement him. There’s no reason both of them can’t get saves.”

Knight expects Smith to be content with that role.

Smith was en route to Miami, where he’ll join the Reds today, and was unavailable for comment. He had no saves with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings this season with California.