The Los Angeles Dodgers anxiously await Will Smith’s return from a neck harm. Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts instructed the California Put up‘s Jack Harris that they’re aiming for the primary week of September.
https://x.com/ByJackHarris/standing/2090938193885741323
Since Smith was positioned on the injured record with a retroactive date of June 8, his return retains getting pushed again. Initially seen as a minimal IL stint at first, this harm will sideline the All-Star catcher for almost three months.
It’s kind of put the Dodgers in a compromising place with their catching state of affairs for the previous two months. The membership has accomplished every little thing it could to stabilize the place whereas ready for Smith’s return.
Dodgers Present Will Smith Well being Replace Earlier than Pirates Sequence
The Dodgers are in a good race with the Atlanta Braves for a Wild Card spherical bye. However extra importantly, they’re aiming to be as wholesome as potential getting into the postseason. That features Smith, who’s been out since June 5 with an infected disc in his neck.
Earlier than his harm, Smith slashed .249/.338/.382 with eight residence runs and a 105 wRC+. Underlying metrics counsel his batted ball knowledge was extra akin to his profession norms, as Statcast’s anticipated metrics credit score him with a .275 xBA, .494 xSLG, and a .386 xwOBA.
The Dodgers catcher took batting observe with the staff at Dodger Stadium on August 21. He later partook in a stay batting observe session towards minor leaguer Sam Horn, the primary time he’s confronted stay pitching in two months.
Smith might want to embark on a rehab project earlier than the membership prompts him from the 60-day injured record. The membership has an open 40-man spot, though this choice seems to be at the least a few weeks away.
Dodgers Catching Depth Examined by Will Smith, Dalton Speeding Accidents
GettyThe accidents to Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Speeding (elbow) have depleted the Dodgers catching depth in 2026. (Photograph by Meg Oliphant/Getty Photos)
Los Angeles opened the season with Will Smith and Dalton Speeding as their catchers. As of August 21, each Smith and Speeding are sidelined with regarding accidents. Speeding is coping with a sprained UCL in his throwing arm.
With their catching depth in a nasty spot, the membership acquired Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt forward of the commerce deadline. Moreover, they added veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp on a minor league deal.
The Dodgers would favor to get at the least considered one of Smith or Speeding again earlier than the season ends. Neither Feduccia nor Rortvedt are the kind of hitters that transfer the needle offensively on the place. The 2 catchers have an 85 and -1 wRC+, respectively, on the season.
Speeding is optimistic he’ll return earlier than the tip of the season.
“I’m progressing nicely, I really feel good,” Speeding instructed DodgersBeat on August 20. “We’re beginning a throwing development actually quickly.
“The plan is for me to be on the sector in September. I can’t offer you an precise date, however my plan is to be on the sector in September, catching once more, and serving to this staff win as many video games as potential, and prepare to win some video games in October.”
Like HEAVY’s content material? You’ll want to comply with us.
This text was initially printed on HEAVY
The publish Dodgers Reveal New Will Smith Harm Timeline Earlier than Pirates Sequence appeared first on HEAVY.
