JOSH SMITH NEWS

Hitless atop order Smith went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Royals.

Impact Smith left Tuesday's game with a calf injury but was back in the lineup at third base and leading off Wednesday. He's typically in the starting lineup against right-handers, while Charlie Culberson slots in at third base against lefties.

JUNE 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takeaways: Josh Smith Next Up as Rangers Leadoff Texas is giving their rookie a test drive in the top spot, and other takeaways from its series in Kansas City

JUNE 30, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Starting Wednesday Smith (calf) is starting Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Impact Smith was removed from Tuesday's win over the Royals due to a right calf contusion, but he'll start at third base and lead off a day later. Over his last six games, he's gone 3-for-15 with three runs, a stolen base, five walks and three strikeouts.

JUNE 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with bruised calf Smith exited Tuesday's win over the Royals with a right calf contusion, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith hit leadoff and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs, but he fouled a pitch off he calf and was lifted for a pinch hitter during the eighth inning. The 24-year-old's removal was labeled precautionary, so there's a chance he'll be available for Wednesday's series finale in Kansas City.

JUNE 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Monday Smith isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Impact Smith started in four of the last five games and went 2-for-12 with a run, a stolen base, four walks and three strikeouts. Charlie Culberson is starting at the hot corner and batting ninth.

JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On base twice as leadoff batter Smith went 0-for-3 with two walks as the leadoff hitter in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals.

Impact Smith batted leadoff for the first time since being added to the major-league roster at the end of May. He missed some time due to injury and has played just 10 games with 33 plate appearances since then, so his .485 on-base percentage comes from a small sample size. As a member of Triple-A Round Rock, Smith reached base at .370 clip over 208 plate appearances.

JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets leadoff chance Smith will start at third base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Smith's path to everyday playing time at the hot corner looks clear after fellow rookie Ezequiel Duran was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, and the 24-year-old could get a chance to hit out of the prominent spot in the lineup moving forward. According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, manager Chris Woodward said Smith "has a lot of qualities of a leadoff guy," perhaps hinting that Smith could continue to slot atop the lineup for additional contests beyond Sunday. Smith, who has produced an .881 OPS to go with two stolen bases through his first 28 MLB plate appearances, at least looks like an interesting speculative pickup in 12-team or deeper mixed leagues where he might be available.

JUNE 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in win Smith started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 win over Washington.

Impact Smith, who stole 21 bases in the minors last year, swiped his second bag since joining the Rangers and has a combined 10 in the minors and majors in 2022. With Saturday's news that Ezequiel Duran was optioned back to the minors, Smith should get a steady supply of plate appearances as Texas' primary third baseman.

JUNE 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Friday Smith is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Smith will take a breather after he started two games in a row following a stint on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He went 1-for-6 with a walk and a run scored in those contests. Ezequiel Duran will get the start at third base and bat eighth in Friday's matchup.

JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Watch: Rangers Josh Smith Scores From First on a Single The Rangers rookie went on the crack of the bat in the second inning and surprised everyone with his speed

JUNE 23, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Comes off IL, starting Tuesday The Rangers reinstated Smith (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. He'll start at third base and bat eighth in the Rangers' series opener against the Phillies.

Impact Smith was deactivated June 4 due to a sprained left shoulder, but he moved past the injury in relatively expedient fashion and was cleared to rejoin the roster after going 3-for-16 with a walk, an RBI and a run during his four-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock last week. The Rangers will immediately slot him back into the starting nine Tuesday, but it's unclear if Smith or fellow rookie Ezequiel Duran will end up settling in as the team's preferred third baseman moving forward. Smith also saw time in center field with Round Rock earlier in the campaign and could be an option at that position if the Rangers at some point decide to pull the plug on Leody Taveras in an everyday role.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Injured Rangers Infielder on Rehab Assignment Josh Smith sent to Triple-A Round Rock on a rehab assignment

JUNE 15, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Begins rehab assignment Smith (shoulder) reported to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Impact The 24-year-old has been on the injured list with a sprained shoulder since June 4, but he's now entering the final stage of his rehab program. Smith should only require a few games in the minors given the brevity of his absence.

JUNE 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set to take batting practice Monday Smith (shoulder) plans to take batting practice Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Smith has been on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder sprain since June 4 and is eligible to rejoin the active roster as early as Tuesday. While the 24-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction, he doesn't yet have a firm timetable to return to game action, and it's unclear whether he'll require a rehab assignment.

JUNE 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 10-day IL Smith (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder sprain Saturday.

Impact Smith was removed from Friday's game against the Mariners with a shoulder injury, and he underwent an MRI on Saturday that revealed a sprain in the AC joint of his shoulder. The 24-year-old was seen in a sling Saturday morning, and he received an anti-inflammatory injection, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Smith doesn't yet have a timetable for his return. Ezequiel Duran was recalled from Double-A Frisco and will start at third base and bat seventh during his major-league debut Saturday. Duran should see most of the playing time at the hot corner in Smith's absence, but Andy Ibanez could also see a slight uptick in at-bats.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with shoulder soreness Smith left Friday's game against the Mariners with left shoulder soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact He will be further evaluated in the next day, so for now he should be considered day-to-day. Smith went 1-for-3 as the leadoff hitter before exiting. Charlie Culberson replaced him at third base.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Enters game late Smith (wrist) replaced Andy Ibanez at third base to start the ninth inning of Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Rays. He went 0-for-1 with a walk.

Impact Smith was held out of the starting lineup with a potential wrist injury, but he entered as a defensive substitution. There appears to be more to the substitution than getting a better fielder in the game. The game was tied at the time, so there was every expectation that Smith would make a plate appearance -- he was due up in the bottom of the ninth -- so it appears that if there was a wrist injury, it was insignificant.

JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could be nursing wrist injury Smith's absence from the lineup Wednesday against the Rays could be related to him being hit on the right wrist by a pitch in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rays, Evan Grant of The Dal...

Impact Smith was able to play the full nine-inning game Tuesday, but he could be dealing with some residual pain in the wrist after he was hit by a pitch for the second time in the contest. Andy Ibanez will draw the start at third base Wednesday, but assuming his wrist issue isn't anything more than a day-to-day concern, Smith looks like he'll get a chance to play regularly against both right- and left-handed pitching.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Goes to bench Wednesday Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Impact Smith had a productive first two starts in the big leagues, rapping out three hits and reaching base five times in total while scoring twice and contributing a stolen base. He still appears to have the edge on the everyday job at third base, but Smith will cede duties at the hot corner to Andy Ibanez on Wednesday.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in win Smith started at third base and went 0-for-1, was twice hit by a pitch and stole a base in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Tampa Bay.

Impact Smith made a second consecutive start at the hot corner since the Rangers selected his contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday -- one against a righty and the other a lefty. Texas third basemen rank last in MLB with a .544 OPS, so there's an opportunity for Smith to move ahead of Andy Ibanez and Charlie Culberson.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in major-league debut Smith went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Monday's 9-5 win over the Rays.

Impact Brad Miller (hip) went on the injured list Monday, and Smith was called up to replace him on the 26-man roster. Smith, 24, showed well in his major-league debut, though all three of his hits were singles. A natural second baseman, he started at third base and batted eighth Monday -- with Marcus Semien and Corey Seager in the middle infield, Smith will likely have to move away from his most comfortable positions to draw playing time. If he does well initially, the lefty-hitter could move into a strong-side platoon role at third base with righty-hitters Andy Ibanez and Charlie Culberson.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Called up by Rangers Smith's contract was selected by the Rangers on Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith is among the Rangers' top prospects, and he was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2022 season. Over 40 games at Round Rock, he slashed .273/.382/.422 with four homers, 30 runs, 29 RBI and eight stolen bases. While the 24-year-old displayed slightly decreased power abilities at the Triple-A level this year, he struck out just 20.4 percent of the time and has decent power and speed potential. Smith is a middle infielder, but he's also played at third base and in center field this year. He's expected to be in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Rays.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE