Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Since Josh Jung played his last game April 1 before landing on the injured list a day later with a fractured wrist, Smith had started on the left side of the infield in each of the ensuing eight contests. Smith has reached base at a .433 clip during that eight-game stretch to solidify his case for a regular role with the Rangers, but he'll head to the bench Thursday while left-hander JP Sears toes the rubber for Oakland. With Jung set to remain out for at least two months after getting transferred to the 60-day IL earlier this week, Smith should still have an extended runway at the hot corner, provided he continues to produce well at the dish.

Smith started at third base and went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-2 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was back at third base after filling in at shortstop Wednesday, when Corey Seager served as the designated hitter. When not giving Seager a break at short, the lefty-hitting Smith is expected to start at third base against right-handers while Josh Jung (wrist) is sidelined for the next 6-to-8 weeks. Smith has hit safely in three straight games, going 4-for-10 with a walk, two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored.

Smith started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Smith filled in for Corey Seager, who served as the designated hitter Wednesday. Smith is also expected to get starts at third base while Josh Jung (wrist) takes 8-to-10 weeks to recover following surgery.

Smith started at third base and went 1-for-2 in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Smith made the first start at third base following the wrist injury suffered by Josh Jung during Monday's contest. Jung underwent surgery and is estimated to be out at least six weeks. With righty Zach Eflin on the mound for Tampa Bay, manager Bruce Bochy had the lefty-hitting Smith open the game, but the manager later had Ezequiel Duran pinch hit against lefty reliever Colin Poche and finish the game at third base. That suggests a platoon may be in the offing while Jung rehabs; however, Justin Foscue could enter the mix. He was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and played 35 games at third base in 2023.

Smith walked and drove in a run after he replaced an injured Josh Jung (wrist) at third base in Monday's 9-3 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Smith finished out an at-bat for Jung, who was hit on the wrist by a pitch in the ninth inning. Smith's free pass came with the bases loaded and forced in a run, and he finished out the game in the bottom half of the frame. The Rangers will discuss how they want to handle Jung's absence on the field and the roster Tuesday. A likely scenario involves both Smith and Ezequiel Duran holding down the hot corner, while potential utility-infield replacements at Triple-A Reno include Matt Duffy, Justin Foscue and Jonathan Ornelas.

Smith (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting second in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old exited Tuesday's contest after being hit by a pitch on the hand, but his return to the lineup a day later indicates it isn't a significant issue. Smith is expected to serve as a utility infielder in 2024, but he could see more action early on since Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) is likely to open on the injured list and Corey Seager's (groin) status is also up in the air.

Smith got hit by a pitch on his hand and left Tuesday's Cactus League game against the A's, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After getting hit by the pitch, Smith was pulled from the game, with Sebastian Walcott entering to pinch run. The shortstop is competing for a bench role, though he has minor-league options remaining. The 26-year-old now has a .231/.447/.385 slash line in 14 games this spring with four doubles and eight walks against nine strikeouts.

Smith is expected to be the primary fill-in at shortstop this spring while Corey Seager (groin) is sidelined, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith and Ezequiel Duran were expected to get a ton of reps at shortstop, but third baseman Josh Jung's calf injury means Duran will cover the hot corner the next two-to-three weeks at least. Both Seager and Jung are expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Smith went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Corey Seager (forearm) had to exit the game, so Smith filled in at shortstop and delivered a ninth-inning homer. The long ball was Smith's first since Sept. 4, though he's seen little playing time since Josh Jung returned from the injured list. With the Rangers still in the thick of the playoff race, Seager's potential absence looms large. Smith has hit an ugly .137 (10-for-73) since the start of August, so Ezequiel Duran, who has batted .248 in that same stretch, could be the better option to fill in at shortstop if Seager misses time.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Smith had started at third base in each of the Rangers' last four games, but he's likely to handle more of a utility role moving forward after Texas reinstated Josh Jung (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Monday. The 25-year-old is hitting just .116 in September and likely won't be in store for steady at-bats down the stretch while the Rangers look to secure a playoff spot.