How Rangers' Super Utility Man Has Fared Since Beginning Rehab Assignment
The Texas Rangers have been without one of their most versatile players for much of the 2026 season.
Josh Smith, 28, has been sidelined since May 3 with a combination of a glute strain, wrist soreness, and viral meningitis. He was initially placed on the 10-day injured list on May 5, retroactive to May 4, due to the glute injury.
After battling a series of setbacks, Smith finally made his first rehab appearance with Double-A Frisco on June 7. He immediately impressed, going 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and a walk. Two days later, his rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Round Rock.
In six games with Round Rock, Smith is slashing .208/.310/.417 with a home run and five RBI. Overall, he owns a .250/.389/.536 slash line with two home runs and seven RBI across eight rehab games.
Josh Smith shredded this ball on the second pitch of the game!
— Frisco RoughRiders (@RidersBaseball) June 7, 2026
B1 | FRI 1, SPR 1 pic.twitter.com/IuRsqmjERz
Heading into the season, Smith was expected to take over as the Rangers' everyday second baseman after Marcus Semien was traded to the New York Mets. However, he struggled before landing on the injured list, hitting just .217 with six RBI through 31 games.
Meanwhile, Ezequiel Duran has thrived while filling in at second base. Not only has Duran earned an everyday role, but he has also built a legitimate case for an All-Star selection. The fellow utility man is slashing .281/.332/.429 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 63 games. His 1.9 WAR ranks first on the Rangers.
Ezequiel Durán so far in 2026:
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 13, 2026
.787 OPS
120 wRC+
1.7 fWAR
3 OAA (89th percentile)
10 GP at 4 different positions (2B, SS, 3B, LF)
Where would the Rangers be without the ULTIMATE utility fielder? pic.twitter.com/vK27iI4rMU
Given Duran's production, replacing him at second base appears unlikely. Still, Smith's track record and versatility make it difficult for Texas to keep him out of the lineup. Over the past two full seasons, Smith has hit .254 with 23 home runs, 97 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.
Texas's infield is largely set aside from second base. Josh Jung and Jake Burger are entrenched at third and first base, respectively, while Corey Seager remains locked in at shortstop. However, the 2023 World Series MVP missed the entire weekend series against the Boston Red Sox after a home plate collision on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.
That leaves the outfield as a potential avenue for Smith to receive consistent playing time when he returns. The possibility became even more realistic this weekend, as both Evan Carter (right oblique strain) and Michael Helman (right hand fractures) landed on the injured list. Wyatt Langford also only returned recently from a forearm strain on June 5.
Both Smith (17 games last season) and Duran (19 games this season) have experience in the outfield, giving Texas flexibility to keep both players in the lineup.
Injuries throughout the lineup have contributed to the Rangers scoring just 285 runs this season, the third-fewest in baseball. Despite those struggles, Texas sits only one game behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. At 35-36, the Rangers are currently tied with the Athletics for the third American League Wild Card spot.
Texas returns home Monday to open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at 8:05 pm ET.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 12:12 PM.