The Los Angeles Dodgers have not missed a beat while defending both their 2024 and 2025 World Series victories. The team is 48-27, first place in the National League West by a large margin.
This has been done even with some of their star players struggling this season. Outfielder Kyle Tucker has posted just a .726 OPS while being paid $60 million per season. Shortstop Mookie Betts has only a .632 OPS, albeit has missed time with injury.
Another name on that list is three-time All-Star catcher Will Smith. Across 52 games, the 31-year-old slashed .249/.338/.382 with a career-low .720 OPS. He tallied six home runs and 23 RBIs.
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Smith’s season was even further derailed in early June, when the catcher was held out of the lineup over the weekend of the 6th and 7th with a neck injury.
He has since been put on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 8. The earliest Smith can return is Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.
However, those hopes have been quelled by a recent report from Jack Harris of the California Post. Manager Dave Roberts said that Smith is not likely to return when eligible on Friday.
The injury diagnosis of “neck inflammation” is broad, as it can take anywhere from one to six weeks to recover from. In the Dodgers’ case, they may not need to rush Smith back.
During the All-Star catcher’s absence, 25-year-old backstop Dalton Rushing has taken over the catching duties for the club. A graduated top prospect, Rushing has excelled in limited playing time.
In 41 games, the second-year player has slashed .262/.353/.508, good for an .861 OPS. He has eight home runs and 21 RBIs.
Los Angeles has certainly not missed a beat on the pitching side since Smith’s injury. Their 3.10 ERA dating back to June 6 (Smith’s first missed game) ranks first in MLB.
The club is nine games up on the second-place San Diego Padres in the NL West. Those odds seem favorable, but the Dodgers would still like Smith back as soon as possible as they gear up for a possible race for the No. 1 seed with the Atlanta Braves over the second half of the season.
