The Los Angeles Dodgers anxiously await Will Smith’s return from a neck injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the California Post‘s Jack Harris that they are aiming for the first week of September.
https://x.com/ByJackHarris/status/2090938193885741323
Since Smith was placed on the injured list with a retroactive date of June 8, his return keeps getting pushed back. Initially viewed as a minimal IL stint at first, this injury will sideline the All-Star catcher for nearly three months.
It’s more or less put the Dodgers in a compromising position with their catching situation for the past two months. The club has done everything it can to stabilize the position while waiting for Smith’s return.
Dodgers Provide Will Smith Health Update Before Pirates Series
The Dodgers are in a tight race with the Atlanta Braves for a Wild Card round bye. But more importantly, they’re aiming to be as healthy as possible entering the postseason. That includes Smith, who’s been out since June 5 with an inflamed disc in his neck.
Before his injury, Smith slashed .249/.338/.382 with eight home runs and a 105 wRC+. Underlying metrics suggest his batted ball data was more akin to his career norms, as Statcast’s expected metrics credit him with a .275 xBA, .494 xSLG, and a .386 xwOBA.
The Dodgers catcher took batting practice with the team at Dodger Stadium on August 21. He later partook in a live batting practice session against minor leaguer Sam Horn, the first time he’s faced live pitching in two months.
Smith will need to embark on a rehab assignment before the club activates him from the 60-day injured list. The club has an open 40-man spot, although this decision appears to be at least a couple of weeks away.
Dodgers Catching Depth Tested by Will Smith, Dalton Rushing Injuries
GettyThe injuries to Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Rushing (elbow) have depleted the Dodgers catching depth in 2026. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Los Angeles opened the season with Will Smith and Dalton Rushing as their catchers. As of August 21, both Smith and Rushing are sidelined with concerning injuries. Rushing is dealing with a sprained UCL in his throwing arm.
With their catching depth in a bad spot, the club acquired Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt ahead of the trade deadline. Additionally, they added veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp on a minor league deal.
The Dodgers would prefer to get at least one of Smith or Rushing back before the season ends. Neither Feduccia nor Rortvedt are the type of hitters that move the needle offensively at the position. The two catchers have an 85 and -1 wRC+, respectively, on the season.
Rushing is optimistic he’ll return before the end of the season.
“I’m progressing well, I feel good,” Rushing told DodgersBeat on August 20. “We’re starting a throwing progression really soon.
“The plan is for me to be on the field in September. I can’t give you an actual date, but my plan is to be on the field in September, catching again, and helping this team win as many games as possible, and get ready to win some games in October.”
Dodgers Reveal New Will Smith Injury Timeline Before Pirates Series