Blue Jays’ Josh Smith picks up hit in third rehab game with Triple-A Buffalo
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 30, 2026, 01:08 EDT
As Major League Baseball gets ready to expand their rosters on September 1, the timing could not be better for Josh Smith.
On Saturday, Smith, whom the Toronto Blue Jays acquired at the trade deadline from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Adam Macko, played what is likely his final rehab game in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons.
After appearing at second base on Thursday and third base on Friday, Smith occupied the designated hitter spot and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored during the Bisons’ 6-1 victory over the Rochester Red Wings.
In his first at-bat of the contest, Smith lined a 2-2, 95 MPH fastball from Jared Simpson to left field for his first hit in his three rehab contests. After Lenyn Sosa singled and Sean Keys dropped down a sacrifice bunt, Davis Schneider launched his seventh home run with the Bisons to bring Smith around to score.
Leading off the top of the second, Smith fell behind 0-2 in the count against Simpson before watching four straight balls to work a leadoff walk.
In his third at-bat of the night, Smith flied out to Red Wings left fielder Phillip Glassler on the first pitch he saw from reliever Andry Lara.
The 29-year-old finished his evening by popping out to shortstop Seaver King in the top of the sixth before striking out swinging against Jake Bird in the top of the eighth on a 93 MPH fastball.
Smith was originally placed on the 10-day injured list on August 21 after dealing with left hamstring inflammation. Eligible to come off the IL on August 31, Smith is likely to be activated before the Blue Jays’ upcoming series beginning on September 1 against the Cleveland Guardians.
Through 14 games with the Blue Jays since being acquired, Smith is batting .250 with two home runs and three RBIs while reaching base at a .323 clip. For the season between both the Blue Jays and Rangers, Smith has played in 59 games and is batting .220 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.
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