Josh Smith - Page 13 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

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

Mashes second home run Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Wednesday's victory over the Angels.

Impact After tallying an RBI with a fielder's choice in the second inning, Smith provided a big insurance run for the Rangers Wednesday as he hit a solo shot in in the seventh to improve the lead to 4-2. The home run was his second of the season and first extra-base hit since July 29. He is slashing .205/.311/.261 through 205 plate appearances this season and will likely maintain a part-time role moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Smith's 1st over-fence HR helps Rangers beat Angels 7-2

Texas rookie Josh Smith homered over the fence for the first time, and the Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • Associated Press

Not in Saturday's lineup Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Rays.

Impact Smith has hit just .100 with a run and seven strikeouts over six games since rejoining the major-league club, and he'll be on the bench for the third time in the last five matchups. Bubba Thompson is starting in left field and batting ninth.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Wednesday Smith isn't starting Wednesday against the Athletics.

Impact Smith has gone 0-for-11 with three strikeouts over his last three games and will be on the bench for the second time in the last three matchups. Nick Solak is starting in left field and batting eighth Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to minors The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Impact Shortly after the All-Star break, Smith's hold on the everyday third-base job had started to loosen, with the rookie having handled more of a utility role of late. Considering Smith had only started in two of the previous five games and was batting just .206 in August, the Rangers evidently felt the 25-year-old was best off heading back to Triple-A to regain confidence at the dish and play on a more frequent basis. Outfielder Kole Calhoun (heel) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and took over Smith's spot on the 26-man active roster.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Saturday's lineup Smith is not in Saturday's lineup against the Twins.

Impact He is hitting .206 with zero extra-base hits in 13 games this month. Smith and fellow rookie Ezequiel Duran have been splitting the third base duties fairly evenly of late, with the righty-hitting Duran starting against all lefties and some righties.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Tuesday Smith is on the bench for Tuesday's game against the Athletics.

Impact Smith has slashed .233/.343/.233 with an RBI and four walks in 11 games this month. Ezequiel Duran will fill in at third base Tuesday.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Saturday Smith will be on the bench Saturday against Seattle.

Impact Smith will be on the bench for the third time in Texas' last four games, but two of those have come against lefties like Saturday's starter Marco Gonzales. Ezequiel Duran will be the third baseman Saturday, while Elier Hernandez handles left field.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out of lineup Smith isn't starting Thursday against the Astros.

Impact Smith's playing time has declined recently, and he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Ezequiel Duran will shift to third base while Charlie Culberson enters the lineup in left field.

AUGUST 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Wednesday Smith isn't starting Wednesday against Houston.

Impact Smith is out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a run, a stolen base and a strikeout during Tuesday's loss to the Astros. Ezequiel Duran is shifting to third base while Brad Miller serves as the designated hitter.

AUGUST 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Sunday Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Fellow rookie Ezequiel Duran will take over at third base while Smith sits for the second time in the four-game series. Smith is slashing an unremarkable .234/.321/.255 in 16 games since the All-Star break and may have to settle for something less than an everyday role until his performance proves worthy of a larger share of playing time.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Thursday Smith isn't starting Thursday against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Although right-hander Johnny Cueto is on the mound for the White Sox on Thursday, Smith will head to the bench after he went 3-for-8 with two walks and three strikeouts over the last three games. Ezequiel Duran is starting at third base while Elier Hernandez serves as the designated hitter.

AUGUST 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Josh Smith's 1st over-fence HR helps Rangers beat Angels 7-2