Dodgers Take a Cautious Approach With All-Star Catcher Will Smith’s Neck Injury

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on a tear lately, winning their first two games against the Tampa Bay Rays and sitting comfortably atop the NL West with a 47-27 record. But beneath that dominant surface, the team is navigating a delicate situation with one of its most important players.

Catcher Will Smith has been sidelined with a neck injury, and manager Dave Roberts offered a tempered update on his return timeline. According to Jack Harris of the California Post, Roberts said Smith is “unlikely” to be activated when he becomes eligible on Friday. The manager added that Smith went through a full day of work recently but is still experiencing some discomfort in his neck. The goal, Roberts explained, is to get Smith to a point where he won’t regress after coming back.

Neck issues are notoriously tricky in baseball, especially for a catcher who constantly twists and turns behind the plate. The Dodgers’ caution is understandable. Smith was having another strong season before the injury, and he etched his name into franchise lore last October with a go-ahead home run in extra innings of Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

But Smith is far from the only injury concern in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have dealt with a revolving door on the injured list this season, with pitchers Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Edwin Diaz all missing significant time. Yet the club’s absurd depth—built through years of aggressive spending and savvy roster construction—has allowed them to weather the storm without much visible damage. The team keeps winning, but the medical staff is clearly playing the long game with Smith.

For now, the Dodgers will continue their series against the Rays on Wednesday at home. Smith’s status remains day-to-day, with no firm target for his return. The team has not confirmed whether a rehab assignment is on the horizon, but the cautious language from Roberts suggests they aren’t rushing things.

Fans online noted that the Dodgers have been burned before by rushing players back from soft-tissue injuries, and the consensus seems to be one of patience. If Smith takes another week or two to get right, the Dodgers have the cushion in the standings to let him heal properly. The real question is whether they can keep that cushion intact while one of their best hitters is still in the trainer’s room.