Texas Rangers’ Third Base Conundrum
ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers are onto their third-string third baseman less than three games into the season.
Interim third baseman Josh Smith exited Saturday’s game vs. the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field with a left quad contusion after he collided with a wall in foul territory trying to catch a Triston Casas pop fly in the first inning. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy described Smith’s status as “day to day” after Saturday’s game; Smith concurred, described the injury as a “dead leg” but largely shook it off as a non-issue.
Smith fell to the ground and grabbed at his left leg before head trainer Matt Lucero checked on him. He stayed in the field for the remainder of the inning before he was replaced by Ezequiel Duran in the bottom half.
The Impact of Injuries on the Team
Duran is now the third player to play third base for the Rangers through three games after starter Josh Jung was diagnosed with a spasm in his neck and was kept out of Saturday’s game.
Jung’s absence is a significant blow to the heart of Texas’ order and its infield defense. Smith’s absence wipes out the Rangers’ depth. The 27-year-old plays the super utility role and won a Silver Slugger award for his performance last season. Smith played six different defensive positions this spring alone and played five last year.
Potential Roster Moves
Bochy said he’ll huddle with his staff to determine whether a roster move is necessary with both Jung and Smith on the mend. If either were to miss significant time, infielder/outfielder Sam Haggerty, whom the Rangers signed to a minor league deal before spring training and broke camp with Triple-A Round Rock, makes sense as a replacement because of his versatility.
While the team made splashy additions, Texas’ fortunes rest on mainstays like García getting back to their best.
Other Rangers News
Luke Jackson, 33, pitched the ninth inning of the Rangers’ first two games while Chris Martin, 38, took care of closing out game 3.
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Conclusion
The Texas Rangers are facing a challenging situation with their third base position, with both Josh Jung and Josh Smith dealing with injuries. The team will need to make some adjustments to their roster and lineup to compensate for these losses. With the season still in its early stages, the Rangers will be looking to get their key players back on the field as soon as possible to make a push for the playoffs.
FAQs
Q: Who is the current third baseman for the Texas Rangers?
A: Ezequiel Duran is currently playing third base for the Rangers, due to injuries to Josh Jung and Josh Smith.
Q: How long will Josh Smith be out with his injury?
A: Smith’s status is listed as “day to day” with a left quad contusion, but the exact length of his absence is unknown at this time.
Q: Can the Rangers make a roster move to replace Jung and Smith?
A: Yes, the Rangers may consider making a roster move to bring in another player to replace Jung and Smith, with infielder/outfielder Sam Haggerty being a potential option.
