The Dodgers keep winning, but they’re doing it without their starting catcher. Will Smith has been on the injured list with neck inflammation, and the timeline for his return is still hazy at best.
According to MLB.com, Smith could possibly be back in July. But that’s not a guarantee. He’s not doing any baseball activities right now, and the report suggests he likely won’t return before the All-Star break.
Smith is hitting .249 with a .338 on-base percentage and six homers in 52 games. That’s not his best work, but he’s still one of the better catchers in the game. Losing him stings, even if the Dodgers have been fine without him so far.
And fine is an understatement. LA owns the best record in baseball at 56-30. They’ve won four straight after Tuesday’s 9-3 win over the Athletics, which also gave Dave Roberts his 1,000th career managerial win. They’re 12 games up on the Padres in the NL West. That’s a comfortable cushion, especially for a team dealing with injuries.
Why patience makes sense for LA
The Dodgers don’t need to rush Smith back. They have Austin Barnes and recent call-up Hunter Feduccia handling catching duties, and the pitching staff is still performing. But Smith’s absence is felt behind the plate too. He calls a good game, frames well, and the staff trusts him.
Neck injuries are tricky. They can linger, affect swing mechanics, and mess with a catcher’s ability to turn and throw. The Dodgers are likely being cautious because they want Smith healthy for October, not just for a random July series against the Giants.
Roberts hasn’t given much of an update beyond what’s already out there. The team is playing it close. That’s fine when you have a 12-game lead. It wouldn’t be fine if the race were tighter.
The Dodgers are going for a series sweep against the A’s on Wednesday night. First pitch is at 9:40 PM EST. And while that game matters, the bigger question is when Smith can get back on the field and start swinging a bat again. No one has a firm answer yet.
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