Key Takeaways
- The Texas Rangers optioned second‑baseman Josh Smith to Triple‑A Round Rock shortly after his return from a 37‑game absence caused by injuries and viral meningitis.
- Outfielder Jarred Kelenic, the 2018 sixth‑overall pick by the New York Mets, was recalled from Round Rock to fill the vacancy on the 40‑man roster.
- Smith had struggled at the plate this season, posting a .218 average with no home runs and six RBI in 34 games before his option.
- Manager Skip Schumaker described the decision as one of the toughest moves of his career, emphasizing the need to get Smith back on track while still expressing empathy for the player’s difficult start.
- The roster shuffle also involved moving Michael Helman from the 60‑day injured list to the 10‑day list to make room for Kelenic after Helman suffered a broken right finger.
- The Rangers entered the series against San Diego coming off a sweep by Minnesota, hitting .239 as a team and ranking 28th in MLB with 292 runs (3.9 per game).
- Schumaker hoped the moves would spark the lineup and give Smith the regular‑season at‑bats needed to regain his form, noting Smith’s versatility (able to play all four infield spots and the outfield) and his past accolades, including an AL Silver Slugger as a utility player in 2022.
On Friday, June 19, 2026, the Texas Rangers made a pair of roster moves that underscored both the team’s immediate needs and its longer‑term development plans. Second‑baseman Josh Smith, who had only just returned to the major league club after missing 37 games due to a glute strain, left‑wrist inflammation, and a serious bout of viral meningitis, was optioned to Triple‑A Round Rock. The decision came just days after Smith’s activation from the injured list, during which he managed only two hits in nine at‑bats over three games.
Smith’s struggles at the plate this season have been pronounced. In 34 games before his option, he batted .218 with no home runs and only six RBI, far below the expectations set for him after Marcus Semien’s trade left the second‑base job open. His early‑year performance was hampered by a slow start, followed by the injuries and illness that kept him off the field for over a month. Manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged the difficulty of the move, calling it “probably one of the toughest, if not the toughest send‑down I’ve had in my career.” He added that the organization needed to “get him going,” while also expressing genuine sympathy for a player who has endured a challenging start to the year.
To create space on the 40‑man roster for Smith’s replacement, the Rangers transferred Michael Helman from the 60‑day injured list to the 10‑day list after Helman suffered a broken right finger. Helman’s move opened a spot for outfielder Jarred Kelenic, who was recalled from Round Rock. Kelenic, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, had signed a minor‑league deal with Texas on June 1. In his first 13 games with Round Rock, he posted an impressive .340 average (17‑for‑50) with three home runs, 11 RBI, 12 runs, and eight walks. Prior to joining the Rangers, Kelenic appeared in 19 games for the Chicago White Sox earlier in the season.
The timing of these moves coincided with a difficult stretch for the Rangers. Coming into the series against the San Diego Padres, Texas had just been swept in a three‑game set at home by the Minnesota Twins, a series in which Minnesota never trailed and outscored Texas 25‑7. The Rangers’ offense was languishing, hitting .239 as a team and ranking 28th in the majors with 292 runs scored—an average of just 3.9 runs per game. Schumaker hoped that injecting fresh talent like Kelenic and giving Smith regular at‑bats in Triple‑A would provide the spark needed to jump‑start the lineup.
Schumaker also addressed the status of shortstop Corey Seager, who had been placed on the seven‑day concussion list, making Smith’s activation earlier in the week possible. Because Seager’s placement was retroactive, he was eligible to return as early as Friday, but Schumaker indicated he would not be activated for the opener of the Padres series, noting Seager was offsite receiving treatment.
Despite his recent struggles, Smith remains a valuable asset due to his defensive versatility. He has shown the ability to play all four infield positions and even spend time in the outfield, a trait that earned him the AL Silver Slugger award as a utility player in 2022. Schumaker expressed confidence that a stint in Triple‑A would allow Smith to work on his mechanics, regain confidence, and return to the majors ready to contribute both offensively and defensively.
In summary, the Rangers’ recent roster adjustments reflect a blend of immediate tactical needs—bolstering the outfield with a hot‑handed Kelenic—and a developmental decision aimed at helping a struggling but talented middle‑infielder find his footing. The moves come amid a broader offensive slump for the club, and the coaching staff hopes that the changes will ignite a turnaround as the team pushes forward in the season.