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Blue Jays’ Josh Smith drives in two during first rehab game with Triple-A Buffalo
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Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Aug 28, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 28, 2026, 08:15 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays could soon be getting back one of their trade deadline acquisitions.
On Thursday night, Josh Smith made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo as he works his way back from left hamstring inflammation that forced him to the 10-day injured list on August 21. 
Smith appeared at second base and played all nine innings during the Bisons’ 7-6 loss against the Rochester Red Wings. The 29-year-old batted second and went 0-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs in the loss. 
In his first at-bat against Red Wings right-hander Jack Cebert, the Washington Nationals’ No. 14-ranked prospect, Smith got ahead in the count 3-1 before popping up a 92.7 MPH fastball to shortstop Seaver King. 
Facing Cebert once again in the top of the third inning, Smith fell behind in the count before fouling off two straight pitches to keep the at-bat alive. On the sixth pitch of the plate appearance, Smith drove a cutter 91.5 MPH off the bat, but it was run down by centre fielder Sam Petersen. 
With the Red Wings leading 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning, Smith stepped to the plate against right-hander Riley Cornelio. Smith and Cornelio engaged in a seven-pitch battle before Smith was able to work a walk to bring in a run and tie the game 3-3. 
Facing Eddy Yean in the top of the sixth inning, who has made seven appearances with the Nationals this season, Smith once again found himself up with the bases loaded. Ahead in a 2-0 count, Smith smashed a sinker that came off his bat at 107.7 MPH, but it was fielded by first baseman Yohandy Morales for an RBI groundout. 
In his final at-bat of the evening, Smith faced Louis Varland’s older brother, Gus Varland. After falling behind 1-2 in the count, Smith grounded out to second base on an 86.4 MPH slider. 
Acquired from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Adam Macko, Smith has appeared in 14 games with the Blue Jays this season and is batting .250 with two home runs and three RBIs. Smith has stolen one bag and reached base at a .323 clip in his brief tenure with Toronto. 
The plan for Smith is to appear again with the Bisons on Friday and play third base. The utility player is eligible to come off the IL on August 31 and will likely join the club in Cleveland before their series opener on Tuesday, September 1. 
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