ARLINGTON — Rangers second baseman Josh Smith initially believed it was “dramatic” to seek medical help after he first felt unwell two weeks ago.
“Thank God I did,” Smith said, “because of how serious it was.”
Smith rejoined the Rangers prior to Thursday’s game vs. the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field after he spent a week in the hospital with viral meningitis. The 28-year-old believed he’d come down with a “normal sickness” earlier this month, but after a phone call with his father and Rangers trainer Matt Lucero, he checked into the hospital and was diagnosed.
“You try to look at the positives it’s done and not the bad it’s done,” Smith said. “I got to spend time with my family, my mom and dad came to visit, so I’m trying to be positive.”
“I’m sure it’s probably uncharted waters,” Smith said. “I imagine they’re going to come and let me dictate how I feel, that’s the sense of what I’m getting, and kind of how I’m responding to certain things. I haven’t really done much over two weeks so who knows if one day it’ll take me a little while to bounce back. I’m hoping it can be sooner rather than later.”
He returned to the Globe Life Field clubhouse Thursday and found what appeared to be a hospital gown with his name and jersey number hung by his locker where his uniform would normally be.
“They’ve been checking in on me,” Smith said of his teammates. “I’m happy to be back.”