JOSH SMITH NEWS

Receiving day off vs. lefty Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Impact Smith started the previous four games after missing a couple contests due to a back injury, and he'll take a seat Sunday after going 3-for-16 with an RBI and a run scored during that span. Ezequiel Duran will step in at shortstop against Houston southpaw Framber Valdez.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Joc Pederson hits 2-run homer in the Rangers' 5-1 victory over the Astros

Joc Pederson broke a tie with a two-run home run in the sixth inning, Wyatt Langford hit a solo shot in a two-run seventh and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 5-1 on Satur...

1 DAY AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Texas Rangers face the Houston Astros Saturday

The Texas Rangers host the Houston Astros on Saturday

2 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers host the Astros, aim to extend home win streak

The Texas Rangers host the Houston Astros looking to extend a five-game home winning streak

3 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Collects two hits in return Smith started at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Rockies.

Impact Smith returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore lower back. He was back at shortstop, where the Rangers have a need after the club placed Corey Seager (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said it's possible Seager will need more than the 10-day minimum, so Smith should see ample opportunities as a fill-in at short.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Makes return to lineup Smith (back) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Impact Smith had missed the Rangers' last two games while tending to a sore lower back, but the team had labeled him as day-to-day and never expressed much concern that he would require a stint on the injured list. The super-utility man had made his previous two starts at first base before his brief absence, but he'll likely see the bulk of his reps at shortstop for the foreseeable future after the Rangers placed Corey Seager (hamstring) back on the IL on Tuesday. Smith took over as the Rangers' everyday leadoff man earlier this month and should continue to maintain those duties while he's gotten on base at a .389 clip through his first 36 games of the season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Tuesday Smith is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Tuesday.

Impact Smith will be out of Texas' lineup for a second consecutive game while nursing a sore lower back. Jake Burger will start at first base and bat seventh Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Rockies face the Rangers looking to stop road losing streak

The Colorado Rockies will aim to break their four-game road skid in a matchup with the Texas Rangers

6 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Texas Rangers injury report: Josh Smith resting; Kumar Rocker, Cody Bradford ramping up Plus, CF Kevin Pillar is recovering from back soreness.

6 DAYS AGO • DALLASNEWS.COM

Nursing sore back Smith was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies due to back soreness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Smith was not included in the lineup the Rangers released, but evidently the plan had been for him to play before his back began aching. He is considered day-to-day.

MAY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers host the Rockies to start 3-game series

The Texas Rangers start a three-game series at home against the Colorado Rockies on Monday

MAY 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kicks off fun Smith started at first base and went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 10-3 win over the Tigers.

Impact Smith got it rolling in the blowout win, homering to lead off the game. The Rangers followed with four more home runs before the day was done. Smith has started at first base three times in the last five contests, but had filled in at shortstop the last two games for Corey Seager, who was nursing a mild hamstring strain. Smith may be the choice at first base going forward against right-handers. Jake Burger started the season as the primary first baseman, but he was recently demoted to the minors with a .561 OPS. Smith is slashing .315/.387/.477 with four home runs, 10 RBI, four steals and 18 runs through 34 games.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers and Rangers play, winner secures 3-game series

The Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers meet on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

MAY 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom lead the Rangers past the Tigers, 10-3

Corey Seager had two solo home runs and an RBI double, Jacob deGrom struck out a season-high 10 in five-plus innings and the Texas Rangers beat Detroit 10-3 on Saturday night to en...

MAY 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Makes second straight start at SS Smith started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.

Impact Smith made a second straight start at shortstop, as Corey Seager rested his hamstring Thursday and Friday, per Steve Kornacki of MLB.com. Smith has hit safely in five consecutive games, going 10-for-21 with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored.

MAY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers take road skid into matchup with the Tigers

The Texas Rangers travel to the Detroit Tigers looking to break a three-game road losing streak

MAY 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tigers host the Rangers, aim to extend home win streak

The Detroit Tigers host the Texas Rangers aiming to extend a four-game home winning streak

MAY 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starts at first base Smith started at first base and went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Smith started in center field Sunday and appeared to be line for regular duty there after the Rangers placed Leody Taveras on outright waivers. Since then, the team called up Evan Carter, who will get playing time in center. The Rangers want to get Smith's bat into the lineup, and first base seems like a good spot. It was his third start there this season and first since the club sent Jake Burger to the minors last week. Blaine Crim may serve at first base against left-handers while Smith starts against righties.

MAY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers' bats come alive with new coach Boone in dugout, beating the Red Sox 6-1

Nathan Eovaldi struck out seven over six strong innings, Texas belted out 16 hits in their first game since adding Bret Boone as a hitting coach and the Rangers beat the Boston Red...

MAY 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Smith leads Rangers against the Red Sox after 4-hit game

The Texas Rangers play the Boston Red Sox after Josh Smith had four hits on Sunday in an 8-1 win over the Mariners

MAY 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Collects four hits Smith went 4-for-5 with an RBI triple and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Seattle.

Impact Smith served as the Rangers' leadoff hitter for the third straight game and set the tone for the 8-1 win. He singled in the first, third and fourth innings, and added an RBI triple in the eighth. Corey Seager (hamstring) returned to his post at shortstop, so Smith took over center field duties Sunday. Smith is slashing .311/.386/.478 with eight extra-base hits and 16 runs scored.

MAY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Seager, García spark big inning and deGrom solid as Rangers beat Mariners 8-1 to end 4-game skid

Corey Seager and Adolis García hit two-run singles to highlight Texas’ six-run third inning, Jacob deGrom won his second start in a row and the previously run-starved Rangers beat...

MAY 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Texas Rangers may need an everyday option at CF. Would they consider Josh Smith? Smith, the Rangers’ super utility man, needs to find his way into the lineup on a near-daily basis.

MAY 4 • DALLASNEWS.COM

Remains at short Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Seattle.

Impact Smith remained at shortstop even though Corey Seager was activated off the 10-day injured list. Texas' somnambulant offense needs Smith, who is one of the few batters hitting with any regularity, so expect manager Bruce Bochy to find the utility fielder a home somewhere on the diamond. The Rangers have lost four straight after posting a 15-spot Tuesday, and Smith's home run Friday has been the lone extra-base hit during the losing streak.

MAY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Swats homer in brutal loss Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 13-1 loss to the Mariners.

Impact Smith's ninth-inning blast off Troy Taylor kept the Rangers from getting shut out, but that was about the only positive they could take from the game. Smith had gone just 5-for-28 (.179) over nine contests since his last homer against the Athletics on April 22. The utility player has slowed down a bit but still has a .296/.380/.457 slash line over 93 plate appearances this season. He's added three homers, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases and four doubles in 27 games.

MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE