Josh Smith - Page 12 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Stays in lineup Smith started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Seattle.

Impact Smith made a second consecutive after a two-hit effort Tuesday, when he started in left field. At-bats had been dwindling for Smith, whose last start came April 27 before getting into lineup on consecutive days this week. With Travis Jankowski (hamstring) on the IL, Smith could become a regular whenever there is righty on the mound. The super-utility fielder has hit in three straight games, going 5-for-10 with two doubles, one home run, two RBI and a stolen base.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts in left field Smith started in left field and went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to Seattle.

Impact The Rangers placed their primary left fielder Travis Jankowski (hamstring) on the injured list Tuesday, which opened a lane to at-bats for Smith and Robbie Grossman. Smith had been part of the fill-in solution at shortstop while Corey Seager (hamstring) works his way back, but the suddenly hot Ezequiel Duran took over as the primary substitute there.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strong off bench Sunday Smith went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk, a stolen base and two total runs scored in Sunday's 16-8 win over the Angels.

Impact Travis Jankowski (hamstring) left the game in the second inning, and Smith filled in admirably. The homer was Smith's second of the season, and it put the Rangers ahead 7-3. This was the utility man's first game action in May after he played semi-regularly in April. He's slashing .154/.353/.269 with three RBI, 11 runs scored and one steal through 69 plate appearances. If Jankowski ends up on the injured list, Smith could be a strong-side platoon option in left field.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting third straight game Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Impact It's the third consecutive game on the bench for the 25-year-old, as Ezequiel Duran appears to have taken hold of the starting job at shortstop with Corey Seager (hamstring) on the shelf. Smith saw most of his action in the first couple weeks of the season in left field, but Travis Jankowski and Bubba Thompson have recently been splitting time at that position.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup Saturday Smith is not in the lineup Saturday against the Yankees.

Impact Smith has been a versatile defender out of the gate for the Rangers, but he is just 7-for-48 (.146) with one extra-base hit through 21 games.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first homer Smith went 1-for-4 with a home run in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to Cincinnati.

Impact Smith extended Texas' lead to 6-0 in the sixth inning with a solo homer off Luke Weaver, his first of the season. Smith is still slashing just .171/.382/.244 with an RBI and seven runs scored through 56 plate appearances this season. The 25-year-old Smith has been platooning with Ezequiel Duran at shortstop, though he'll likely be relegated to a bench role when Corey Seager (hamstring) is able to return.

APRIL 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against lefty again Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Impact The lefty-hitting Smith will give way to the righty-hitting Ezequiel Duran at shortstop with southpaw Nick Lodolo on the bump for Cincinnati. Smith has now been on the bench three times in four games, with all three absences coming when Texas has opposed left-handed starting pitchers.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact Smith will step out of the lineup Sunday with southpaw Kyle Muller pitching Sunday for Oakland. Ezequiel Duran will start at shortstop while Bubba Thompson mans left field.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday against lefty Smith isn't starting Friday's game against Oakland.

Impact Smith is 0-for-12 at the plate in his last four games, putting him at risk of losing a good amount of playing time. Ezequiel Duran will start at shortstop in Smith's place Friday and bat seventh.

APRIL 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Tuesday Smith isn't starting Tuesday against the Royals.

Impact It's been a struggle for Smith at the plate lately -- he's slashing just .067/.263/.067 over the past week. His slump will cost him another start Tuesday, with Ezequiel Duran taking over at shortstop and batting seventh.

APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sits versus lefty Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Impact The 25-year-old started the past three games at shortstop in the absence of Corey Seager (hamstring) but he'll take a seat Sunday after he went 1-for-10 with five strikeouts during that stretch. Ezequiel Duran will take over at shortstop with lefty Framber Valdez pitching for Houston.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes costly error Smith went 1-for-3 and was hit by a pitch in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Astros.

Impact Smith, who made a third consecutive start at shortstop in place of the injured Corey Seager (hamstring), made a costly error in the seventh inning on a potential double-play grounder. The miscue allowed two runs to score and extended the inning for Houston to tack on another two runs. The lefty-batting Smith may give way to Ezequiel Duran in Sunday's series finale when the Astros are scheduled to start southpaw Framber Valdez.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts at short again Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros.

Impact Smith started once again for the injured Corey Seager (hamstring), slotting in at second in the order. That was Seager's spot in the order, and it appears Texas manager Bruce Bochy wants to limit disruption to the normal batting order. Smith is not expected to replace Seager's production, but he does handle the bat well, as evidenced by his fifth-inning bunt that moved runners and set up Nathaniel Lowe's two-run single. With Houston scheduled to start another righty Saturday, Smith should make a third straight start. The righty-hitting Ezequiel Duran could start at shortstop Sunday, when the Astros' Framber Valdez is projected to start, the Rangers' first game against a southpaw since Seager's injury.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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

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