NEW YORK -- Just when things were looking up for Josh Smith, another roadblock got in the way.
Smith, who has manned second base this season, was slashing .181/.286/.208 across his first 24 games through April 23. Then, after a few “mental days,” he rediscovered his swing, hitting .350/.458/.350 over his last seven games.
Whatever momentum he may have been building came to an end on Tuesday, when he landed on the injured list (retroactive to Monday) with a right glute strain.
“He felt the issue coming off the field the other day at the end of the night in Detroit,” said manager Skip Schumaker. “He came back today, and it was kind of a similar pain -- I wouldn't say pain. It got a little bit better, but not to where he liked it. So it's going to be a couple of days. I don't think it's gonna be any more than 10 days on the IL, hopefully.”
Smith broke camp as the second-base replacement for Marcus Semien, who the Rangers sent to the Mets for Brandon Nimmo this offseason. The super-utility player had become one of Texas’ most valuable position players due to his ability to play every position. He had appeared at all except pitcher and catcher over the last three seasons.
After Smith's slow start, he had lost playing time to fellow utilityman Ezequiel Duran, who is hitting .275/.342/.406 across 26 games this season, while playing second base (10 games), left field (9), third base (6), right field (5), and shortstop (1).
Smith was not available in the clubhouse pregame, though Schumaker said he was frustrated with the roadblock.
“[Smith] was feeling good at the plate,” Schumaker said. “That's why the timing of it actually stinks for him. He was beginning to get on base via the walk. He was hitting the ball the other way and then hitting pull side, which he's so good at. I actually thought this stadium [Yankee Stadium] was going to be really good for him against a couple of righties. The timing of it is unfortunate for him. That part is frustrating, I'm sure, for him, but for us as well. It could be a blessing to have some time. I think he doesn't see it that way, though. He was frustrated, and rightfully so.”
Justin Foscue, the 14th pick of the 2020 Draft, was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock as another bench bat in Smith’s place on the roster. In 53 career plate appearances, Foscue is 3-for-51 (.059) with the big league club, but he hasn’t had a long leash. He appeared in 15 MLB games in 2024 and just four in ‘25.
With Triple-A Round Rock this season, Foscue has hit .287/.407/.426 with two home runs, 10 doubles, 14 RBIs, 22 walks and 22 strikeouts in 30 games. He’s led the Express in hits and total bases (49) while reaching safely in 28 of 30 contests. He ranks among Pacific Coast League hitters in doubles (fifth), walks (tied for fifth), extra-base hits (tied for 11th, 12), hits (tied for 15th, 33) and on-base percentage (17th) this season.
“We'll see how it looks,” Schumaker said of Foscue’s outlook. “I think he'll, most likely, start the day game [in New York] with the lefty going and then we'll kind of see. He'll be one of the first guys off the bench against a lefty. I don't know if it's a straight platoon just yet, but we'll kind of see how it goes. We're looking for a quality at-bat, like he brings. I'm not looking for power or anything from him. I'm just looking for a solid at-bat, which he's been providing the entire season in Triple-A.”