The LSU Tigers with be without a key member of their baseball team for an extended period of time.

Sophomore shortstop Josh Smith, a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American selection last season, will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a stress reaction in his back.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri said it's unsure when he actually suffered the injury.

Smith did play against Notre Dame last weekend, going 2-for-9 in the three-game set.

Last season, starting at third base for the Tigers, Smith hit a .281, to go along with 5 home runs and 48 runs batted in.

Freshman Hal Hughes is expected to replace Smith at shortstop.

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