Injury Update on Texas Rangers Outfielder Josh Smith
ARLINGTON, Texas – Medical tests taken on Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Smith at a local hospital came out “clean,” according to manager Bruce Bochy after Monday night’s 2-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field.
Smith was hit by a pitch in the face in the third inning, immediately fell and was removed from the game. He received testing on his face and jaw. The CT scan came back negative and his availability in the immediate future is considered day-to-day.
“It’s always scary,” Bochy said. “He got hit in the face there, he got hit in the lower jaw. We took him to the ER. He had some CT tests. They came out clean. We have good news there. He’s feeling better as I’m speaking right now and tomorrow we’ll re-evaluate him and see where we’re at.”
The 89-mph sinker that struck Smith was thrown by Orioles reliever Danny Coulombe, who entered the game after starter Kyle Bradish was struck by a line drive off the bat of Rangers catcher Jonah Heim.
The loss of Smith, though difficult to watch, didn’t impact the outcome in the first Texas loss of the season, according to Bochy. The game was still scoreless when it happened, so it was a matter of just continuing to play.
“You really don’t have a choice,” Bochy said. “You have to. You hate to see it. We were all thinking about Smitty when it happened, but you do have injuries and you have to move on. I don’t think that played a part.”
The Rangers (3-1) and Orioles (2-2) continue the three-game series Tuesday night. Andrew Heaney makes his first start for Texas, with Tyler Wells going for Baltimore. First pitch at Globe Life Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
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