ARLINGTON, TEXAS – APRIL 03: Matt Lucero, athletic trainer for the Texas Rangers, attends to 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)
Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Smith says he's doing fine and will hopefully be back on the field soon after being hit in the face by a wild pitch Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Smith dropped to the ground and was quickly attended to by Rangers athletic trainer Matt Lucero Monday night after he was hit on the right side of his face in the third inning by a 88 mph slider coming from the left hand of Baltimore's Danny Coulombe.
The team said Monday night Smith was taken to a hospital for scans and testing. He has six stitches on the lower right side of his face, a cut inside his mouth and some slight swelling, but no fractures.
On Twitter late Tuesday morning, Smith thanked everyone who reached out and sent prayers, adding that he was doing fine and hoped to be back in the lineup soon. The Rangers retweeted Smith's tweet and replied with two emojis, a blue heart and folded hands.
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"I feel pretty good actually. I slept good," Smith said later Tuesday in the Rangers clubhouse. "It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Really no pain or anything like that."
Smith said he had cleared concussion protocol, though he anticipated he would continue to be monitored to make sure there are no issues. He said he also would probably see a dentist, though he didn't lose any teeth.
Manager Bruce Bochy said there were no immediate plans for Smith to go on the injured list.
Smith has watched the replay a couple of times.
"Looks like a boxer, like when they get punched and their whole face comes off their body," Smith said.
The Rangers lost to the Orioles 2-0 Monday night -- it was the first loss for the Rangers at home this season after they swept the Phillies in the season's opening series. The Rangers have two more shots at the Orioles in this series -- Tuesday's game is at 7:05 p.m. and Wednesday's game is at 1:05 p.m.
