Rangers’ Josh Smith takes pitch to the jaw against Orioles

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Smith went to the hospital Monday after taking a pitch to the face in a 2-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

The left-hand batter crumpled to the ground after being hit in his jaw by an 89-mph slider from Orioles reliever Danny Coulumbe in the third inning in Arlington, Texas. Smith covered his face and writhed in pain for a few moments in the batter’s box, but walked off the field under his own power.

Yikes, Josh Smith just took an 89 MPH pitch to the jaw pic.twitter.com/UUVfmjQeN4</ a>

— Ben Palmer (@benjpalmer) April 4, 2023

“He got hit in the face area, in the lower jaw,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We did take him to the ER. He had some CT tests. They came out clean. So, we got good news there. He’s feeling better as I’m speaking right now. Tomorrow, we’ll just reevaluate him.”

Smith received six stitches on the lower right side of his face, a cut inside his mouth and some slight swelling, but no fractures.

“I feel pretty good actually. I slept good,” Smith said 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 didn’t lose any teeth, but said he would probably still see a dentist.

There were no immediate plans for Smith to go on the injured list. Smith, who started three of the team’s first four games in left field, said he hoped to be back in less than a week.

This article is based in part on wire service reports.