Josh Smith - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Idle against southpaw Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Smith served as a super-utility player for Texas in 2025, but he looks like he'll have a more permanent home at second base this season after the Rangers traded Marcus Semien to the Mets over the winter. The Rangers will still look to shield the left-handed-hitting Smith from southpaws, after the 28-year-old produced a lowly 47 wRC+ in 121 plate appearances versus lefties in 2025. Ezequiel Duran will spell Smith at second base Sunday while southpaw Jesus Luzardo toes the rubber for Philadelphia.

8 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Having strong spring Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two RBI in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

Impact Smith is having a productive spring and slashing .390/.528/.756 with three steals, 12 walks, three doubles, four home runs and 14 RBI over 17 Cactus League games. That production has overwhelmingly come against right-handers; Smith has just 10 at-bats against lefties this spring and a career .631 against southpaws. Despite the track record, Texas manager Skip Schumaker said earlier this month that Smith will not be in a strict platoon.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Will not be in strict platoon Rangers manager Skip Schumaker indicated Monday that Smith will not be a strict platoon at second base, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Smith has hit only .223/.309/.322 against lefty hurlers in his career, but Schumaker plans to give Smith some starts at the keystone versus left-handed pitching. Smith entered play Monday slashing .333/.429/.542 with one home run and a 4:5 BB:K in his first 10 Cactus League contests.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Favorite for second base job Smith appears to be the favorite to win the starting job at second base, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact While the team hasn't openly announced that Smith is ahead of the competition, Corey Seager provided a hint when talking with media earlier in camp. When asked about working with someone new at the keystone, he specifically mentioned Smith, stating "I've played some games with him already so you kind of know how he operates. I'm really excited for him just to get this opportunity." Nothing is set in stone this early in camp, but Smith has now drawn two starts at second base in spring training and continues to work drills exclusively at second base outside of exhibitions, per McFarland.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Starts at 2B in opener Smith started at second base and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's spring opener against the Royals.

Impact After the Rangers traded second baseman Marcus Semien during the offseason, Smith's name was part of the group in line to compete for second base. The super-utility player recently confirmed he's been preparing to play the keystone since Semien's departure. Whether or not he becomes the primary second baseman, at the very least, Smith should be a regular presence in the lineup against right-handers at some position.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Preparing to play second base Smith confirmed Sunday that he's preparing to play second base on a more permanent basis in 2026 following the offseason trade of Marcus Semien to the Mets, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS....

Impact Smith finished second on the Rangers with 563 plate appearances a season ago, but he didn't have a set home at any one position. The 28-year-old essentially served as a full-time super-utility player who filled in at spots when injuries dictated, logging 46 starts at shortstop, 28 at third base, 23 at first base, 14 in the outfield, 10 at designated hitter and three at second base. He should head into 2026 with eligibility at shortstop, third base and first base in most fantasy leagues, but expect Smith to be usable at the keystone quickly with Semien's departure creating a permanent void at that spot. The Rangers could look to deploy the left-handed-hitting Smith in the strong side of a platoon at second base; he slashed just .206/.277/.224 (47 wRC+) in 121 plate appearances against lefties last season.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers sew up deals with all their arbitration-eligibles ARLINGTON -- The Rangers came to terms with all four of their remaining arbitration-eligible players at Thursday’s deadline to exchange sala...

JANUARY 9 • MLB.COM

Signs deal for 2026 Smith agreed to a one-year contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Smith was projected to earn about $2.5 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, per Spotrac.com, but the specifics of his deal have yet to be disclosed. He's primarily worked as a super-utility player for the Rangers but could be more locked in at second base in 2026 following the offseason departure of Marcus Semien.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers don't tender contract offers to 2023 World Series title contributors García, Heim and Sborz

Slugging outfielder Adolis García, switch-hitting catcher Jonah Heim and right-handed reliever Josh Sborz have all became free agents

NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • Associated Press

On paternity list The Rangers placed Smith on the paternity list Friday.

Impact Smith didn't travel with the team for the Rangers' final series of the regular season as he awaits the birth of his child. Friday's move opens up a spot on the active roster for Donovan Solano, who's been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. Smith can remain on the paternity list through Sunday's regular-season finale.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Didn't travel with team Smith didn't travel with the Rangers to Cleveland for personal reasons, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Impact Smith and his wife are expecting a child, and Smith didn't travel with the team as he awaits the new addition to his family. The Rangers have already been eliminated from postseason eligibility, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Smith sit out Texas's final few games.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Friday's lineup Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Cleveland.

Impact Smith returned to play the last two games after missing a couple days with an elbow infection, but he'll begin Friday's tilt on the bench. Ezequiel Duran will handle shortstop and bat fifth for the Rangers.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Friday's lineup Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Cleveland.

Impact Smith returned to play the last two games after missing a couple days with an elbow infection, but he'll begin Friday's game on the bench. Ezequiel Duran will handle shortstop and bat fifth.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers take road losing streak into matchup against the Guardians

The Texas Rangers will try to end their four-game road slide in a matchup against the Cleveland Guardians

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • Associated Press

Guardians vs. Rangers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch - Bleacher Nation On Friday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians (86-72) open a series against Josh Smith and the Texas Rangers (80-79) at Progressive Fi...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Rangers and Twins meet in series rubber match

The Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins meet on Thursday with the winner claiming the three-game series

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Rangers get strong finale from deGrom and top Twins 4-2 to stop 8-game skid

Josh Smith homered, Billy McKinney singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 to end a season-worst eight-game losing st...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Back in lineup Smith (elbow) is starting at shortstop and batting second against the Twins on Wednesday.

Impact Smith was held out of Tuesday's series opener due to a left elbow infection, but he has been cleared to play in Wednesday's tilt. He has not recorded a hit in each of his last four games and has gone 11-for-55 (.200) with three steals, six runs and one RBI since Sept. 1.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers bring 8-game losing streak into matchup against the Twins

The Texas Rangers look to break their eight-game losing streak when they play the Minnesota Twins

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Late scratch from lineup Smith was scratched from the lineup ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Twins due to an elbow infection, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith had originally been slated to start at shortstop and bat third Tuesday, but his elbow will instead cause him to miss the series opener. Ezequiel Duran will fill in as Texas' shortstop and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat against righty Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Smith has been a mainstay in the lineup versus right-handed pitching all season, but he'll hit the bench Sunday while the Marlins send righty Eury Perez to the hill. Smith's exit from the lineup comes after he went just 2-for-21 with one walk against six strikeouts over the past six games.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers host the Marlins on 4-game home win streak

The Texas Rangers host the Miami Marlins looking to extend a four-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

Rangers take road slide into matchup with the Astros

The Texas Rangers will attempt to stop their three-game road slide in a matchup with the Houston Astros

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Astros hold off Rangers 6-5 to keep pace in AL West and improve wild-card position

Jeremy Peña went 3 for 3 with a walk and scored twice, Jose Altuve drove in two runs and the Houston Astros held on for a 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Astros play the Rangers leading series 1-0

The Houston Astros play the Texas Rangers, leading the series 1-0

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • Associated Press

JOSH SMITH NEWS

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Rangers don't tender contract offers to 2023 World Series title contributors García, Heim and Sborz

Rangers take road losing streak into matchup against the Guardians

Rangers and Twins meet in series rubber match

Rangers get strong finale from deGrom and top Twins 4-2 to stop 8-game skid

Rangers bring 8-game losing streak into matchup against the Twins

Rangers host the Marlins on 4-game home win streak

Rangers take road slide into matchup with the Astros

Astros hold off Rangers 6-5 to keep pace in AL West and improve wild-card position

Astros play the Rangers leading series 1-0