The second season of Josh Smith’s big league career with the Texas Rangers has gotten off to a rough start.
The now 22-year-old is listed as day-to-day after hitting Baltimore Orioles left-hander Danny Coulombe in the face during a game on April 3. As a result, he received half a dozen stitches. of the hit.
But on the bright side, Smith received a gift that could help lift his spirits as he works his way back to the baseball diamond.
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Josh Smith #47 of the Texas Rangers is seen with an open cut on his cheek after being hit by a pitch from Danny Coulombe of the Baltimore Orioles in the third inning at Globe Life Field on April 03, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Coulombe’s 88 mph sinker was high and in and caught the former LSU Tigers on the chin.
Jake McCarthy of the Diamondbacks made a great catch before reaching the stands
As of Tuesday, Smith said he had cleared the concession protocol.
“I feel really good. I slept well,” Smith said Tuesday in the Rangers clubhouse. “It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be. There’s really no pain or anything like that.”
Matt Lucero, athletic trainer for the Texas Rangers, meets Josh Smith #47 after he was hit in the face by a pitch in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field on April 03, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
According to the Associated Press, Coulombe sent a bottle of whiskey to Smith’s locker after the unfortunate injury.
“I’m really happy he’s doing well,” Coulombe said after the game. “That’s the worst part of this game. … I didn’t want to [hit him], and they know that. I have a lot of really good friends on that team and I spoke to them afterwards, said he was in good spirits. “
Josh Smith #47 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with teammates in the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Globe Life Field on March 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ben Ludemann/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
Smith was surprisingly able to watch video replays, and he even saw the slow-motion version.
“Looks like a boxer, like when they get punched and their whole face pops out of their body,” Smith said.
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Smith was in the starting lineup for three of the Rangers’ first four games this season. He said that he hopes to be back on the field in less than a week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
