Rangers OF Josh Smith Discusses Playing Return

Getting back in the batter’s box for the first time might be a weird experience for Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Smith.

Then again, it might not.

At some point, Smith will return to the Rangers lineup after being drilled in the face by a pitch Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles. He’s likely not headed to the injured list, so his comeback is sooner rather than later.

Smith was hospitalized, but released after scans revealed no significant damage. He’s got some bruising and swelling around his jaw, plus six stitches on the inside of his lip.

Otherwise, Smith feels fine and isn’t dealing with much pain. Once he’s back playing, facing another pitcher just 60 feet and six inches away shouldn’t be a problem.

“You never know what’s gonna happen,” Smith said Tuesday from the Rangers clubhouse at Globe Life Field. “The chances of it happening again – I don’t want to jinx it – but are probably very low.

“I don’t think I’ll have a problem getting back and I’ve done it before. So I think the best thing is just to get back in and not really think about it.”

Smith, a left-handed hitter, plans to use a batting helmet with a protective flap on the right side of his face.

“I think that the flap will probably give you some protection, too,” he said. “So honestly, I’d like to just hop in and just kind of get back.”

Not only is Smith not worried about facing live pitching again, watching video of how his face reacted to being hit by Orioles reliever Danny Coulombe wasn’t an issue, either.

“Really, I have watched it a couple of times,” Smith said. “It’s just kind of crazy. Like how when you slow it down like the whole face is just moving, but really, I didn’t have a problem watching it.”

The Rangers (3-2) attempt to snap a two-game losing streak Wednesday against the Orioles (3-2) at 1:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field.

More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:

1. Texas Rangers MVP in 2023?
2. Predicting Texas Rangers 2023 Record
3. Jose Altuve Injury Potentially Helps Texas Rangers Playoff Chances
4. MLB Plan for Television Texas Rangers
5. Why did Bochy Tab deGrom for Opening Day?
6. Bally Sports Southwest to Televise Nearly All Rangers Games
7. Texas Rangers to Wear Nike City Connect Jerseys for First Time
8. Texas Rangers Unveil Exciting New Ballpark Food
9. Rangers Believe They're as Good as Astros, Dodgers
10. Rangers Rotation Set Behind Jacob deGrom

You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.