The Texas Rangers have made a pivotal decision regarding their second base position, following news of an unfortunate injury to one of their promising young players. Cody Freeman, at just 25, has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. This setback will keep him off the field for four to six weeks, as confirmed by manager Skip Schumaker.
While Freeman's injury isn't season-ending, it does significantly impact his spring training opportunities. Consequently, Josh Smith is now set to step in as the Rangers' everyday second baseman as the regular season kicks off.
The competition for the second base spot was shaping up to be one of the most intriguing aspects of the Rangers' spring training. With Marcus Semien's offseason departure, the position was up for grabs for the first time in nearly four years.
Smith, who has steadily climbed the ranks from playing 73 games in 2022 to 144 games last season, was a strong contender. His efforts even earned him a utility Silver Slugger two seasons ago.
Many expected Smith to fill the role, but there was also buzz about the Rangers possibly exploring the free agent or trade markets for a star player. However, Smith's impressive stint in the big leagues last year, where he became a key figure in the group known as "The Little Rascals," showcased his potential to fill the void internally.
General Manager Chris Young decided to keep the competition in-house, focusing on Smith, Freeman, and utility players Sam Haggerty and Michael Helman. With Freeman's unfortunate injury, Smith now has a clear path to the starting role.
Still, questions linger about Smith's ability to sustain performance over a full 140-150 game season. In 2025, he showed promise with a .277 average, eight homers, 24 RBIs, and 16 doubles in the first half. However, his second half saw a dip, hitting just .208 and driving in 11 runs over 60 games.
In other injury news, the Rangers are also dealing with a setback to pitching prospect Winston Santos. The right-hander, who took a liner off his left hand during a live BP session, will be sidelined for about four weeks with a hand fracture.
Santos, a potential dark horse for the Opening Day roster, was eager to make an impact this spring after returning late last season from a back injury. His performance in the Arizona Fall League, where he earned All-Star honors, had set high expectations for his spring training.