The Texas Ranger Who Thought He Was 'Too Dramatic' Is Out With Viral Meningitis, And His Return Is a Total Mystery

Alright, Emerald City! Our Mariners just crushed the A's 9-1 at T-Mobile Park, showing exactly why we get hyped! But while we're celebrating, wild news from Texas makes you appreciate the health of our guys. Rangers second baseman Josh Smith, a regular in their lineup this year, was back in uniform yesterday, but it's not the comeback story you'd hope for. After being hospitalized in mid-May with viral meningitis, he's totally unsure when he'll actually play again. Talk about a curveball nobody saw coming!

From Glute Strain to Hospital Bed

This whole situation with Smith is pretty intense. He hasn't seen game action since May 3rd, hitting the injured list the very next day, but that was for a glute strain. He started feeling sick symptoms the week after that, and get this, he was actually hesitant to get it checked out! He told reporters, "Thank God I did just 'cause how serious it was." Can you imagine thinking you're being "too dramatic" and it turns out to be viral meningitis? That's just wild. His dad and the Rangers' head trainer, Matt Lucero, had to push him to get it looked at, and good thing they did, because he ended up in the hospital for more than a week.

The Long Road Back: 'Uncharted Waters'

So, even though Smith was spotted in uniform yesterday, it's clear he's got a long way to go before he's back on the field helping his team. He admitted, "I'm sure it's probably uncharted waters, but I would imagine they're going to kind of just let me dictate how I feel," which sounds pretty open-ended, right? He's barely done anything over the last two weeks, just light jogging yesterday, no batting practice. He lost a little weight but gained it back, and while he says he has no pain from the initial glute strain or a subsequent left wrist inflammation, the uncertainty of the meningitis is the real issue. He's trying to stay positive, saying, "I feel good. Definitely kind of getting back into things. I wouldn't say I need to get to 100% to be ready to go back to play. I just need to get able to where I can help us win a baseball game." Before all this, Smith was hitting .217 with zero home runs and six RBIs in 31 games. He was even their regular second baseman after the Marcus Semien trade, so his absence definitely leaves a hole for Texas. Man, you just never know what these guys are going through off the field, do you? Wishing Smith a full and speedy recovery, that's for sure. For us, though, it's all about what's next for our M's! After that huge 9-1 win against the A's, we're riding high. We've gotta keep that momentum going, keep stacking those wins, and show the league the Emerald City is here to play! Let's get it!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.