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

EDGE Analysis

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

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Smith confirmed Sunday that he's preparing to mainly play second base in 2026 following the trade of Marcus Semien, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith finished second on the Rangers with 563 plate appearances a season ago, but that workload came as a super-utility player who logged 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. Smith will also gain eligibility at the keystone quickly in most formats in 2026. The Rangers could look to deploy the lefty swinger on the strong side of a platoon, as he slashed just .206/.277/.224 (47 wRC+) in 121 plate appearances against southpaws last season.

Smith agreed to a one-year, $3.225 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith will end up earning a little more than the $2.5 million that was projected for his first year of arbitration eligibility, per Spotrac.com. 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.

The Rangers placed Smith on the paternity list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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 any of his last four games and has gone 11-for-55 (.200) with three steals, six runs and one RBI since Sept. 1.