Josh Smith DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers infielder Josh Smith went 1-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Athletics. He also walked and struck out once. The 27-year-old was moved up to the leadoff spot in this one to give the offense a spark and continued his torrid pace to start the season. Smith is currently riding a seven-game hit streak that reaches back to before he sat out a few contests with a bruised thumb, and he's been spectacular. Overall, he's slashing .367/.456/.571 with two home runs, four doubles, four RBI, and 11 runs scored. Additionally, the former second-round pick has swiped three bags and seen his walk percentage jump to a robust 14.0%. It's unclear whether he'll stick at the top of the lineup against lefties, though we'll have that answer soon with Texas squaring off against left-handed hurler JP Sears on Wednesday.

Texas Rangers infielder Josh Smith (thumb) is returning to the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon when they continue a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Smith has been held out of the starting lineup in each of the previous four contests due to a bruised thumb. However, Smith has been cleared for action and is slated to bat third and cover first base on Saturday afternoon. Before his minor injury, the 27-year-old was enjoying an impressive start to the campaign with a .342/.432/.500 slash line with three doubles and a home run. He also flashed speed upside as he swiped three bags and held an 11:6 K:BB. Last summer, Smith held a .258/.337/.394 line with 13 long balls and 11 stolen bases. Smith remains a solid depth option in all formats. He is worth a look in DFS as well, facing Dodger right-hander Roki Sasaki, who enters Saturday with a 3.29 ERA.

Texas Rangers third baseman and outfielder Josh Smith (thumb) is still out of the Rangers' lineup for Friday night's matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Smith injured his thumb against the Seattle Mariners and hasn't played for five days. The 27-year-old had been making his mark filling in for Josh Jung at third base, slashing for a .342/.432/.500 line in 44 PA. In Smith's absence, Dustin Harris will get the start in left field and will hit sixth. The 25-year-old has perform well in his five games this season but will face a tough test Friday against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Though a tough test, DFS managers may find value in a cheap option by getting Harris into their lineups.

Texas Rangers utility man Josh Smith (thumb) will sit out his third straight game in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field. Dustin Harris will get the nod in left field and will hit sixth versus Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz. Smith is dealing with a bruised thumb but will be hoping to return to action this weekend at home against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. If the 27-year-old can move past his thumb injury, he'll return to starting duties in left field in Texas with Wyatt Langford (oblique) on the injured list. Smith has been solid for those in AL-only leagues this year with his .342/.432/.500 slash line with a .932 OPS and three steals, although he has only one homer. Dustin Harris has gone 2-for-8 with a solo homer this year, and he has a hit and two RBI in three career at-bats against Kochanowicz.

Texas Rangers utility man Josh Smith (thumb) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday as the team continues their series against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Dustin Harris will make the start in left field and will hit sixth against Angels right-hander Jose Soriano. It doesn't sound like Smith's injury is very serious, so there's a chance he could be back in the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Angels. With Wyatt Langford (oblique) on the injured list, the 27-year-old utility man had been seeing action in left field for the Rangers. Smith has been excellent at the plate, going 13-for-38 (.342) with a homer, three RBI, three steals and eight runs scored. He lacks power but makes plenty of contact and is useful in deeper fantasy leagues for his positional versatility. Harris will be playing in just his sixth big-league game on Wednesday.