Dave Roberts gave an update on Will Smith Sunday, and it sounds like the Dodgers’ All-Star catcher is close to coming back. Smith has been dealing with neck inflammation, a nagging issue that landed him on the injured list. The team is being careful with him, but there’s a clear timeline now.
Smith won’t travel with the Dodgers on their upcoming 10-game road trip. Roberts said he’s hopeful Smith will be activated by the time Los Angeles returns home for a July 2 series against San Diego. Whether Smith needs a rehab assignment depends on how he progresses while the team is on the road, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.
That’s good news for a Dodgers club that already has plenty of injury headaches. Blake Snell is out. Teoscar Hernandez is out. Tyler Glasnow is out. But this team keeps winning anyway. They entered Sunday’s game against Baltimore with a 49-28 record, the best in baseball.
Dalton Rushing has held his own
The Dodgers didn’t panic when Smith went down, and part of that is because Dalton Rushing has been solid behind the plate. He’s not Will Smith — few catchers are — but he’s shown he can handle the job. LA’s organizational depth is ridiculous. They’re one of those teams that loses multiple stars and still finds ways to win series. Most clubs can’t do that.
Smith, through 52 games this season, has hit .249 with a .338 on-base percentage and six home runs. Those numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he’s one of the game’s best catchers on both sides of the ball. His value goes beyond the stat sheet, especially with how he handles the pitching staff.
The Dodgers aren’t rushing him back, which makes sense. They’ve got the best record in baseball even with all these injuries. Why push it? The hope is Smith comes back for that Padres homestand, but if he needs an extra few days, LA can afford to wait.
First pitch for Sunday’s Dodgers-Orioles game is set for 4:10 PM EST at Dodger Stadium.
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