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• Rangers' Josh Smith: Plays fifth different position

  16D ago • By RotoWire

  Smith started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Athletics. Smith started at a fifth different position Tuesday -- he's also defended first base, shortstop, third base and center field -- and manager Bruce Bochy plans for him to play all fielding positions except catcher this spring, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. The home run was Smith's first of the Cactus League, and he's batting .316 (6-for-19) through seven outings.

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• Rangers' Josh Smith: Moving around diamond

  23D ago • By RotoWire

  Smith started at first base and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's spring game against Kansas City. This was Smith's third Cactus League game, and he made starts at third base and center field prior to Tuesday's deployment. For the last two seasons, he's been needed as the primary fill-in for injured starters at shortstop and third base, but the Rangers are preparing him for a more diversified role in 2025. He's always carried multiple gloves with him, so moving around the diamond is nothing new. In more of a utility role, Smith may not receive the nearly 600 plate appearances he had last season.

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• Rangers' Josh Smith: Extends hit streak in loss

  09/27/2024 • By RotoWire

  Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Oakland. Smith was back in the lineup after getting a day off against a left-hander Wednesday. He cracked his 29th double and scored as part of the Rangers' two-run third inning. The extra-base knock extended a hit streak to eight games, during which Smith is 10-for-32 (.313) with a home run, four RBI, two steals and six runs. The 26-year-old utility player is putting the finishing touches on what has been the best season of his three years at the major-league level.

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• Rangers' Josh Smith: Sitting against lefty

  09/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Smith isn't in the Rangers' lineup for Wednesday's game against Oakland. With left-hander Brady Basso set to start on the bump for the A's, the lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat on the bench Wednesday. While he sits, Jonathan Ornelas will start at shortstop with Matt Duffy covering third base.

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• Rangers' Josh Smith: Homers in loss

  09/22/2024 • By RotoWire

  Smith went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners. Smith singled in the first inning and then tied the game with a two-run blast in the third. The long ball was his first since Aug. 5, but he has now hit safely in five straight contests. On the season, the 27-year-old is hitting .262 with 13 homers, 59 RBI, 64 runs scored and 10 steals across 564 plate appearances.

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