This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Out through road trip
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Injured list stint possible
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Smith (neck) "still doesn't feel right" and might need a stint on the injured list, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.
Smith did some hitting and played catch pregame Tuesday, but his neck is still giving him trouble when he's in the batter's box. He's missing a third straight start Tuesday and his condition will have to improve soon if he wants to avoid the IL. If Smith requires a stay on the shelf, Dalton Rushing would be in line for regular starts at catcher for the Dodgers.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
Smith (neck) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh.
Smith missed the final two games of the weekend series versus the Angels with neck stiffness, and he remains out of the lineup even after Monday's team off day. Dalton Rushing is catching and batting eighth for the Dodgers against the Pirates.
Smith (neck) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Smith was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a neck issue, which will also keep him out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Dalton Rushing will start behind home plate and bat sixth. The Dodgers have an off day Monday, so Smith could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Scratched Saturday
Rotowire
Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.
The Dodgers haven't announced why Smith was taken out of the starting nine, but more details should come in the near future. In the meantime, Dalton Rushing will fill in as the Dodgers' catcher and bat eighth.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Idle Tuesday
Rotowire
Smith is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.
Smith is getting some rest after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout during the series opener in Arizona on Monday. Dalton Rushing has the start behind the plate Tuesday and is batting eighth.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Not in Sunday's lineup
Rotowire
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Smith started the previous five games and will get a breather Sunday after going 5-for-14 with a double and two homers during that stretch. Dalton Rushing will take over behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale versus Philadelphia.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Will Smith: Goes yard in win
Rotowire
Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Phillies.
Smith has three extra-base hits (two homers, one double) over his last three contests. The catcher is batting a modest .235 (16-for-68) in May, but he's hit three of his six homers on the year during the month. He's hitting .255 with a .732 OPS, 23 RBI, 21 runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 181 plate appearances this season.
0:55
0:48
1:17
1:19
1:26
1:11
1:18
0:42
0:49
0:51
1:18
0:52
1:59
1:39
1:09
1:13
0:41
1:25
0:57
