JOSH SMITH NEWS

Starts at DH Smith started at designated hitter against a right-hander and went 3-for-4 in Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact Smith replaced a struggling Joc Pederson, who's batting just .055 (3-for-55). The season-opening slump may eventually cost Pederson his job as the DH against righties. Smith is hitting to well -- up to .378 following Sunday's loss -- to ignore and could gain a greater share of starts at DH going forward.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Assists walk-off win Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Impact Smith, who returned to the lineup after four games due to a thumb injury, started at first base and batted third. Having him bat third in the order instead of Joc Pederson (.055 average) turned out to be a wise decision by manager Bruce Bochy. With Texas trailing by a run entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Smith led off with a double immediately before Adolis Garcia belted a walk-off home run to win it. The double extended Smith's hit streak to five games, and he's batting .341/.438/.512 through 48 plate appearances. He helped fill the void in left field caused by the injury to Wyatt Langford (oblique), who could be activated ahead of Sunday's game. While there isn't a permanent home in the starting lineup for Smith, Bochy might consider using him at DH more often, given Pederson's epic struggles to begin the season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Rangers and Dodgers meet with series tied 1-1

The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

2 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

García hits 2-run homer in 9th to lift Rangers past Dodgers, denying Roki Sasaki 1st win

Adolis García hit a two-run homer off former Texas closer Kirby Yates in the ninth inning, lifting the Rangers to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers

2 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back in lineup Smith (thumb) will start at first base and bat third Saturday against the Dodgers.

Impact Smith missed four consecutive games while managing a buised thumb, but he seems to be fully recovered entering Saturday's contest. He'll make his first start back at first base, which will allow Dustin Harris to start in left field and bat seventh.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers bring 4-game win streak into game against the Rangers

The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to keep a four-game win streak alive when they take on the Texas Rangers

3 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Absence continuing Friday Smith (thumb) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact It's the fourth straight absence from the lineup for Smith as he continues to manage a bruised thumb. There's been no indication that the 27-year-old will require a trip to the injured list, but it may be considered given how much time he's already missed. Dustin Harris is receiving another start in left field for the Rangers.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers bring 3-game win streak into matchup with the Rangers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to keep a three-game win streak alive when they take on the Texas Rangers

4 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting third straight Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Impact Thursday will mark the third straight game Smith has missed while he continues to nurse a bruised thumb. Dustin Harris will pick up another start in left field as a result, and the Rangers may start thinking about placing Smith on the IL if he's unable to return to action soon.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Out again with bruised thumb Smith (thumb) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Impact Smith is dealing with a bruised thumb and the super utility player will miss a second straight start. Dustin Harris is in left field and batting sixth for the Rangers on Wednesday.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mariners get a pair of 4-run innings and down Rangers 9-2

Luke Raley drove in three runs and the Seattle Mariners scored four times in the third and seventh innings to down the Texas Rangers 9-2

APRIL 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moves to left field Smith started in left field and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Smith, who had filled in at third base when Josh Jung was unavailable, moved to left field with Wyatt Langford (oblique) on the injured list. The multi-positional infielder/outfielder is 10-for-24 with three doubles, a home run, two RBI, three steals and seven runs scored over the last eight games. Kevin Pillar could see time in left field against southpaws, but Smith is expected to be the primary fill-in while Langford is out.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Raleigh hits go-ahead home run to lift Mariners to 5-3 win over Rangers

Cal Raleigh hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 5-3

APRIL 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back to bench Wednesday Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Impact The Cubs are sending a tough southpaw (Shota Imanaga) to the hill for the series finale, so the lefty-hitting Smith will retreat to the bench. Though Smith no longer has a path to regular playing time at third base with Josh Jung (neck) returning from the injured list earlier this week, Smith could see action in left field if Wyatt Langford requires a stint on the IL after tweaking his oblique Tuesday.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Starts at first base Smith started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Cubs.

Impact Smith's steady gig as a fill-in third baseman ended Tuesday with the return of Josh Jung; however, Texas manager Bruce Bochy wanted to keep Smith's lively bat -- 7-for-17 over the previous six games -- in the lineup. So, the manager gave Jake Burger (.105) a break at first base. Smith may be needed as a replacement in left field, as Wyatt Langford (side) was removed in the seventh inning Tuesday.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers look to avoid series sweep against the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs will try to sweep a three-game series with a victory against the Texas Rangers

APRIL 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fill-in gig ending Smith started at third base and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Smith has been the primary fill-in at third base while Josh Jung (neck) worked his way back from the 10-day injured list. Jung's IL-journey is expected to end Tuesday, when the Rangers plan to activate him. That means Smith will be free to play one of the many other positions on his resume. Smith batted .350 (7-for-20) over seven games since Jung was placed on the IL.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Timely hit gives Rangers fifth consecutive win | Arkansas Democrat Gazette ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jonah Heim's walk-off single with two outs in the ninth inning to center field scored Josh Smith and the Texas Rangers b...

APRIL 7 • ARKANSASONLINE.COM

Heating up Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay.

Impact Smith, who started at third base in place of the injured Josh Jung (neck), scored the game-winning run on Jonah Heim's walk-off single. Smith put himself in scoring position with a two-out double one batter prior to Heim's heroics. The steal was Smith's third over the last five games, during which he's 7-for-15 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers walk off Rays to complete three-game sweep Jonah Heim hit a walk-off single to center to score Josh Smith and the Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays with...

APRIL 6 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Jonah Heim's walk-off single in the 9th sends Rangers past Rays 4-3 to extend win streak to 5 games

Jonah Heim’s walk-off single with two outs in the ninth inning to center field scored Josh Smith and the Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 for their fifth consecutive win

APRIL 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Slugs first homer of year Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 5-2 win over the Rays.

Impact The utility infielder took Zack Littell deep in the seventh inning to account for the game's final run. Smith was getting the start at third base and batting seventh, and he figures to see the bulk of the playing time at the hot corner while Josh Jung (neck) is sidelined. Through seven appearances this season, Smith is batting .250 (4-for-16) with a homer, a steal, two RBI and three runs.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Mahle pitches 5 shutout innings for first win since April 2023 as Rangers beat Rays 5-2

Tyler Mahle rebounded from a rough opening start to pitch one-hit ball over five shutout innings for his first win since April 3, 2023, and Kyle Higashioka’s RBI double highlighted...

APRIL 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Knocks in game-winning run Smith started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Cincinnati.

Impact For the second straight day, the Rangers made one run enough. On Tuesday, Wyatt Langford's solo home run was the difference, and Smith's fourth-inning, two-out double plated Joc Pederson for the game's lone run Wednesday. Smith made his second start at shortstop and likely would have had a third if not for a minor quadriceps injury. The Rangers appear to be managing Corey Seager early in the season; he's played five of seven games including one at DH. In addition to shortstop, Smith is getting run at third base while Josh Jung (neck) is on the injured list.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Starts at third base Smith started at third base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Monday's 14-3 loss to the Reds.

Impact Smith returned from a quadricep injury to fill in at third for the injured Josh Jung (neck, IL). It's likely he'll be the primary fill-in at the hot corner until Jung is ready to return. Ezequiel Duran and Jonathan Ornelas are also around and could grab a start or two against a lefty.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE