Josh Smith FLEX TEX Tue 4/4/23 11:30 AM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith (face) posted Tuesday on his personal Twitter account that he's "doing fine" and "will hopefully be back on the field soon" after he exited Monday's 2-0 loss to the Orioles.
EDGE Analysis
Smith left the game after being struck in the face by a Danny Coulombe pitch. He was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, and while an exact diagnosis for his injury hasn't been revealed, he appears to have avoided something serious. Smith, who had been handling the strong side of a platoon in left field to begin the season, can be considered day-to-day until the Rangers provide more details on his condition.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Mon 4/3/23 8:59 PM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
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.
EDGE Analysis
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 was taken to a local hospital for further scans and testing on his face and jaw.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Sun 4/2/23 2:42 PM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Sat 4/1/23 12:23 PM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith will start in left field and bat ninth in Saturday's game against Philadelphia.
EDGE Analysis
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' 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 in left and Robbie Grossman in right. 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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Mon 3/27/23 4:32 PM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith (thumb) will start in left field and bat ninth in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Sat 3/25/23 3:11 PM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres due to a jammed left thumb.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Sun 3/5/23 10:28 AM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith should benefit from the Rangers' decision to designate Mark Mathias for assignment Saturday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Sat 2/25/23 10:35 AM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
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," Bochy said. "He's already done it, so that's always a good thing."
EDGE Analysis
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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Fri 9/30/22 6:49 PM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith isn't starting Friday's game against the Angels.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Josh Smith FLEX TEX Thu 9/29/22 8:30 AM
Josh Smith
FLEX TEX
Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a caught stealing in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Mariners.
EDGE Analysis
Smith started in place of the injured Corey Seager (forearm), who may have avoided serious damage after being plunked by a pitch Tuesday, though 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 a seat even if Seager is not ready to return.