Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has not played since June 5 against the crosstown Los Angeles Angels due to neck inflammation. He has now missed 17 games in a row.
At first, it seemed like a day-to-day thing, but the neck injury has now become a moderate issue for Smith.
Leading up to his placement on the injured list, Smith was having an underwhelming season for his All-Star standards. In 52 games, the 31-year-old slashed .249/.338/.382 (.720 OPS) with six home runs and 23 RBIs.
On Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talked to the media about Smith’s injury timeline. He said that Smith still has not resumed baseball activities. This was reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic in a post on X.
At this rate, the catcher will likely need a rehab assignment after resuming activity, which would add more time onto his IL stay. Smith will not return for the rest of the team's road trip at the very least. Their next home game is July 2 versus the rival San Diego Padres.
During the three-time All-Star’s absence, Los Angeles has used Dalton Rushing and Chuckie Robinson at the catcher position. It has been a mixed bag.
Rushing has played well enough. In 48 plate appearances since June 6, the 25-year-old has a .723 OPS with five extra-base hits.
Robinson has not been quite as effective. In his limited opportunity of 17 plate appearances over the same time, the journeyman is batting .133.
The Dodgers pitching has a 4.98 ERA since June 6. That ranks 25th in MLB. It has not mattered all that much because of the club’s star-studded lineup, but the pitching does need to be better. Overall, the team has gone 10-6 during Smith’s absence.
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They will need him back as soon as possible. With the way that this neck injury seems to keep prolonging itself, that may be later rather than sooner.
Approaching the halfway point of the season, Los Angeles is 51-29, atop the National League West. They have the best record in baseball.
