Josh Smith has viral meningitis. What is it? How long until he’s back with Texas Rangers?

The Texas Rangers announced Friday that their Opening Day second baseman, Josh Smith, has viral meningitis and is in the hospital for seven to 10 days.

HOUSTON — Josh Smith’s return to the Texas Rangers‘ active roster was delayed again this week after he was diagnosed with viral meningitis, a condition that will keep him in a Metroplex hospital for up to 10 days as the illness runs its course.

Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said that the team is confident that Smith’s case is isolated and that no other players have fallen ill or will become sick. Smith is already on the injured list because of a strained right glute, and he experienced left wrist discomfort during his recovery.

While Smith was feeling body pains because of the meningitis, the Rangers aren’t sure if the wrist pain that popped up is related. The assorted pains, though, were what prompted him to tell the Rangers on Wednesday that he wasn’t quite right.

“He said he was feeling some different pains, dealing with different things and reached out to our training staff, who then instructed him to go get it looked at,” Fenstermaker said. “You go and get checked by health professionals, and they identify that it was viral meningitis. Once that’s identified, they administered him to the hospital.”

The good news for Smith is that if he had to catch meningitis, he was fortunate to have the viral illness. According to the CDC website, viral meningitis is an inflammation of the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord and is the most common form of meningitis. Patients usually recover on their own.

Fenstermaker said that Smith, the Opening Day second baseman, informed the Rangers on Wednesday that he was feeling off, and he was dispatched to a doctor’s office. Once the diagnosis was made, he was admitted to the hospital.

The Rangers aren’t sure what the recovery period will look like, but they fully expect him to play again this season. He could play as soon as next month.

“It’s a unique case, but we know he’s getting some of the best care that he can get,” Fenstermaker said. “This is a typical seven- to 10-day recovery and a buildup from there.”

Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue have played second base in Smith’s absence.

Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com