Dodgers Uncertain About Will Smith’s Return from Injury
SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers are still unclear about when their starting catcher, Will Smith, will be back in the lineup following a neck injury.
Manager Dave Roberts mentioned Friday that it’s “most likely” Dalton Rushing will be behind the plate when Shohei Ohtani pitches next Wednesday.
Generally, when a pitcher has almost a week before their next game, coaches aren’t asked about potential lineup choices, but this situation feels different.
Recently, discussions about the Dodgers have revolved around the tension between Ohtani and Rushing. Both players have voiced their frustrations after a miscommunication during a second-inning mishap against Minnesota earlier this week.
During that episode, the four-time MVP and the relatively new backup catcher experienced a breakdown in communication, causing confusion over pitch signals and leading to a scoring passed ball. Following the incident, Roberts noted that there had been “talks” behind the scenes to ensure everyone is aligned moving forward.
“It’s not always perfect, but it was a noticeable issue that day, and I don’t think that will change entirely,” Roberts commented. “Everyone cares about their role and the team’s success. It’s important we all stay on the same page as we move forward.”
This game against Minnesota marked the third time this season that Rushing started for Ohtani, a pattern that has repeated in the previous outings as Smith continues to deal with his neck issue.
Initially, it was believed that Smith was just dealing with minor soreness, but he is now expected to be out for about three weeks.
According to Roberts on Friday, Smith hasn’t resumed playing yet, although he’s “feeling better each day.”
Roberts expressed skepticism that Smith would be ready for the upcoming homestand, while trying to minimize concern about the injury. “Sure, it’s a little worrying given that it’s taking longer than we thought,” he said. “However, there’s no need for alarm; we don’t think this will be a lasting issue.”
