JOSH SMITH NEWS

Hitless in loss Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 10-1 loss to the Royals.

Impact Smith filled in for the injured Corey Seager (hamstring), who is expected to miss at least four weeks. For now, Texas manager Bruce Bochy will keep Marcus Semien, who has played shortstop, at second base and fill the large hole Seager leaves with the lefty-hitting Smith and righty-hitting Ezequiel Duran.

APRIL 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting at shortstop sans Seager Smith will start at shortstop and bat second in Wednesday's game against Royals.

Impact With Corey Seager landing on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a hamstring strain that is expected to keep him out for at least four weeks, Smith will get the first chance to replace him at shortstop and at his usual spot in the batting order. Manager Bruce Bochy suggested after Tuesday's 8-5 win over Kansas City that he's inclined to keep Marcus Semien at second base while Seager is sidelined, so Smith looks like he could end up seeing most of his playing time at shortstop for the foreseeable future after previously making five starts in left field and one at third base this season. Ezequiel Duran is also expected to factor into the mix at shortstop and could end up filling the short side of a platoon at the position with the lefty-hitting Smith.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Enters for injured Seager Smith pinch ran and filled in at shortstop Tuesday after Corey Seager was removed due to a hamstring injury. Smith went 0-for-1 with a walk in an 8-5 extra-inning win over Kansas C...

Impact Seager clutched for his left hamstring on the way to second base for a fifth-inning double and was removed immediately. He'll be re-evaluated Wednesday. If a stint on the injured list is warranted, the lefty-swinging Smith can fill in or the right-handed hitting Ezequiel Duran. Smith had been getting steady work in left field until this past weekend, when manager Bruce Bochy started giving at-bats to Bubba Thompson and Travis Jankowski.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches twice in return Smith started in left field and went 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Smith returned to action after recovering from a facial injury, which was the result of being hit by a pitch. The infielder-outfielder has been hit in three straight games. With news that center fielder Leody Taveras (oblique) has begun a rehab assignment, Smith's days as the starting left fielder against right-handers are numbered. When Taveras is ready, Robbie Grossman is expected to move from right to left field, while Adolis Garcia slides from center to right field.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Friday Smith (face) is back in the Rangers' lineup Friday versus the Cubs.

Impact It's his first start since he had to exit Monday's game against the Orioles when he was hit in the face by a pitch. Smith will play left field and bat ninth versus Marcus Stroman.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress Smith (face) was scheduled to get some cardio in and take pre-game swings Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Smith was hit by a pitch in the face Monday and needed six stitches to close a laceration. He hasn't played since but will be re-evaluated following Wednesday's activity. Smith, who had been picking up starts in left field against right-handers, was replaced by Ezequiel Duran the last two games. McFarland also reports Leody Taveras (oblique) is taking swings from both sides of the plate and may be nearing a rehab assignment. Taveras' return should reduce the outfield opportunities both Smith and Duran have seen early in the season.

APRIL 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Wednesday Smith (face) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Impact The Rangers have an off day Thursday, so Smith will effectively get at least two more days to heal up from a swollen jaw as well as the six stitches he required on his face after being hit by a pitch in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Orioles. Ezequiel Duran will spell Smith in left field for the second game in a row.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Needs six stitches Smith received six stitches and has some swelling in his jaw but is not in much pain after being hit in the face by a pitch Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact It was a scary incident when Smith was hit by a Danny Coulombe pitch, but he managed to avoid a serious injury. Smith is considered day-to-day.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids serious injury Smith (face) tweeted Tuesday that he's "doing fine" and "will hopefully be back on the field soon."

Impact Smith had to leave Monday's game against the Orioles after being struck in the face by a Danny Coulombe pitch. He was taken to a hospital to be evaluated and while it's unclear what the exact diagnosis was, it appears he's avoided a serious injury. Consider the utility player day-to-day for the time being.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves after HBP in face Smith left Monday's game against the Orioles after being hit in the face by a pitch in the third inning, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith was hit in the face by a Danny Coulombe pitch and had to exit the contest. Ezequiel Duran has entered the game as a pinch runner. Smith will likely need to undergo imaging before determining his status going forward.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against lefty Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Though he manned left field in both of the Rangers' first two games of the season while the Phillies brought right-handers in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler to the hill, the lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat Sunday with southpaw Bailey Falter toeing the rubber for Philadelphia. Ezequiel Duran checks into left field in place of Smith, who went 1-for-4 with two walks and three runs over his first two starts.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Making second straight start Smith will start in left field and bat ninth in Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

Impact Smith is making his second straight start in left field, both coming against right-handers. He was projected for utility work, but center fielder Leody Taveras's oblique injury forced manager Bruce Bochy to adjust the outfield. For the second straight game, Adolis Garcia starts in center and be flanked by Smith and Robbie Grossman. The Phillies are scheduled to throw left-hander Bailey Falter on Sunday, which will offer a glimpse into Bochy's lineup preferences against southpaws. Bubba Thompson could enter the starting nine in place of Smith in Sunday's series finale.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to start Monday Smith (thumb) will start in left field and bat ninth in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Impact A jammed left thumb kept Smith from playing Saturday versus the Padres, but the 25-year-old will get the green light to return to the lineup for the Rangers' penultimate game of the Cactus League slate. Smith owns an .897 OPS through 16 spring games and looks on track to break camp with the big club, though he may have to settle for a part-time role.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched with jammed thumb Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres due to a jammed left thumb.

Impact The injury doesn't sound like the sort of thing which could place Smith's readiness for Opening Day in serious doubt. The team expects him to be ready to go by Monday, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Roster chances improve Smith should benefit from the Rangers' decision to designate Mark Mathias for assignment Saturday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact Mathias was bumped from the 40-man roster to create space for reliever Will Smith, who was signed by the Rangers on Saturday. Weaver goes into great detail as to what the transaction means for several players on the roster, including Smith, who was in a battle to make the team in a utility role. While he can't provide the right-handed bench bat that Mathias did, Smith's ability to play shortstop gives the Rangers insurance that Mathias could not supply. Smith, who came to Texas in the Joey Gallo trade, posted a .197/.307/.249 line over 253 plate appearances in 2022.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Smith Reveals Rangers Role Model The young infielder is watching one Rangers player in particular as he tries to carve out a super-utility role in Spring Training.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Will play many positions Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith will play all infield positions and left field during spring games, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. "I think he's comfortable moving around,...

Impact Smith came through the system as a shortstop, but he's blocked by Corey Seager in the majors. That means he'll have to make the team in a utility capacity. He debuted in the majors in 2022, playing 36 games at third base, 24 in left field, six at shortstop, five as the designated hitter and two at second base. Smith posted a line of .197/.307/.249 over 73 games.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Smith Busy in Spring Training Josh Smith can play multiple positions and that could be his pathway to a spot on the 26-man roster.

FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Rangers Spring Training Preview: Josh Smith Josh Smith goes into Texas Rangers training camp trying to win either a starting job in left field or a super-utility role.

FEBRUARY 12, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Rangers Spring Training Preview: Josh Smith Josh Smith goes into Texas Rangers training camp trying to win either a starting job in left field or a super-utility role.

FEBRUARY 12, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Josh Smith Josh Smith, one of the pieces from the Joey Gallo trade, should be in contention for an Opening Day roster spot in 2023.

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Sitting out versus lefty Smith isn't starting Friday's game against the Angels.

Impact The left-handed Smith will take a seat Friday with fellow lefty Reid Detmers starting the game on the mound for Los Angeles. While he sits, Mark Mathias will take his spot in left field and bat sixth.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starts at shortstop Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-2 with a walk and was caught stealing in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Smith started in place of the injured Corey Seager (forearm), who may avoided serious damage after being plunked by a pitch Tuesday. It's unclear how much time Seager will miss. With left-hander Marco Gonzales on the bump Thursday for the Mariners, the left-handed hitting Smith may take seat, if Seager is not ready to return.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Enters for Seager Smith entered Tuesday's 5-0 win over Seattle as a pinch runner after Corey Seager left with a forearm injury.

Impact Seager, who was removed after being plunked on the inner left forearm, was replaced by Smith on the bases then in the field for the final inning. Seager is considered day-to-day, which could lead to starts for Smith in the coming days. Mark Mathias and Charlie Culberson are also around for infield depth.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Tuesday's lineup Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

Impact Smith is 4-for-34 over his past 11 contests and will take a seat Tuesday in Seattle. Bubba Thompson and Adolis Garcia will start in the corner outfield while Charlie Culberson serves as the designated hitter.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE