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Dodgers' Will Smith: Pain-free after resuming activities
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is pain-free after resuming baseball activities, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Smith has been sidelined for over a month while tending to a lingering neck issue, but he has now taken a significant step towards returning to action. The catcher will increase the intensity of his workouts ahead of a potential minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. With the trade deadline approaching fast, a healthy Smith would likely erase the need for the Dodgers to aggressively pursue a backstop.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Dodgers transferred Smith (neck) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Smith isn't expected to return to the Dodgers' lineup until at least mid-August, so his move to the 60-day IL won't have any impact on his return timeline. The move will, however, free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Charlie Barnes, who was selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Neck issues persist
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith's neck continued to bother him as he attempted to ramp up his activity, so the Dodgers will fully shut him down for a week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
The Dodgers still expect Smith to return at some point this season, and although there's still no clear idea of when exactly that might be, Roberts noted that the earliest possible date for the catcher's return likely will be in mid-August. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as Los Angeles' primary backstop in the meantime.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Remains without timetable
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said recently that while he "certainly" expects Smith (neck) to play again this season, he has "no idea" when it will happen, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Smith has been sidelined for more than a month with a lingering neck issue. He has been hitting and throwing but seems unable to get over the hump with the injury, as there's no timeline for when he will be ready for a rehab assignment. The Dodgers will enter the second half with an 11.5-game lead in the National League West, so they can afford to take their time with Smith.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Resumes hitting, throwing
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith (neck) began hitting in the cages Thursday and has also begun throwing, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
Smith has been on the injured list since June 11 with neck inflammation and isn't expected to return before the All-Star break, but his return to hitting and throwing are both good signs that he's finally starting to turn a corner in his recovery. He will almost certainly require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the active roster.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Likely out through All-Star break
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Smith (neck) is expected to remain out until after the All-Star break, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Smith has yet to resume baseball activities since landing on the injured list June 11 with neck inflammation. Between his slow progress and the time it will take for him to build up once he's cleared to begin a rehab program, there simply isn't enough time left for him to return before the All-Star break begins July 13. A more definitive timeline may emerge once Smith is cleared to resume activity.
Dodgers' Will Smith: Likely out for start of homestand
Rotowire
Smith (neck) isn't expected to be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when the Dodgers begin a 10-game homestand Thursday to close out their first-half schedule, MLB.com reports.
Smith landed on the injured list June 11 due to neck inflammation and has yet to resume baseball activities since hitting the shelf. The Dodgers could still be leaving the door open for Smith to return at some point later on during the homestand, but unless he's able to start ramping up by the end of the week, the team could be inclined to hold him out through the All-Star break. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary option behind the dish for however long Smith remains out.
Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Smith (neck) won't travel with the Dodgers for their upcoming road trip, which begins Monday and runs through July 1, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
The veteran backstop may require a minor-league rehab assignment and could be back as early as the start of the Dodgers' next homestand, which starts July 2 in San Diego. Smith recently received a cortisone injection to address the neck inflammation that has sidelined him for the past couple weeks.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Won't return this weekend
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith (neck) will not be activated from the injured list over the weekend, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Smith is slated to receive a cortisone injection in his neck, which will keep him on the shelf beyond the 10-day minimum. The Dodgers will wait to see how he responds to treatment before deciding whether to have him travel with the team during the upcoming road trip, at which point more will be known about the 31-year-old's return timeline.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Not expected back Friday
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that it's "unlikely" Smith (neck) will be activated from the 10-day injured list Friday when first eligible, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
Smith went through a full workout Tuesday, but the neck injury that sent him to the IL last week is still bothering him a bit. It's unclear what the next step is for the catcher, but more should be known about Smith's timeline in the coming days. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher while Smith is sidelined.
The Dodgers placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, due to neck inflammation.
Smith has missed the Dodgers' last four games because of his injured neck, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed Wednesday that the All-Star backstop would require an IL stint and ramp-up period before returning to action. Dalton Rushing will fill in behind the plate most days while Smith is out, and Chuckie Robinson will join the big club from Triple-A to work as the backup catcher.
The Dodgers will place Smith (neck) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
After sitting him down for four straight games because of neck soreness, the Dodgers have officially decided to send Smith to the injured list. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that the 31-year-old backstop is progressing but has missed too much time to return without a ramp-up period. He'll be eligible to return to the Dodgers' lineup June 19; meanwhile, Dalton Rushing will take over as Los Angeles' primary catcher, and Chuckie Robinson will come up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide depth.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Not starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
Though recent imaging on Smith's neck revealed nothing overly concerning, the catcher will nonetheless remain on the bench for a fourth straight game Wednesday. Smith was able to do some throwing and take some indoor batting practice prior to Tuesday's series opener in Pittsburgh, but a stint on the injured list could still be in play for the 31-year-old. Dalton Rushing will make another start Wednesday and is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster for the moment, but the Dodgers opened up a spot by releasing infielder Tyler Fitzgerald and can now more easily promote another backstop from the minors if Smith needs to go on the IL.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Likely bound for IL
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Smith (neck) will "most likely" be placed on the injured list, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports. "We'll have to make that decision at some point in time [after Wednesday's game against the Pirates]," Roberts said.
Roberts acknowledged that the three-time All-Star is progressing, but Smith -- who will be out of the lineup Wednesday for a fourth straight game -- has missed enough time at this point that he'll require a ramp-up period before returning to action, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Dalton Rushing will step in as the Dodgers' top backstop for the duration of Smith's absence, and Los Angeles will likely call up Chuckie Robinson or Eliezer Alfonzo from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh to serve as Rushing's understudy.
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