Dodgers Reveal Will Smith Return Date Amid Offensive Struggles
· Yahoo Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith hasn’t appeared in MLB since June, but will soon re-enter the Dodgers’ lineup.
Per MLB.com’s Sonja Chen, manager Dave Roberts said Smith will rejoin the team Tuesday ahead of their three-game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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After spending this past week on rehab with Triple-A OKC, Will Smith is expected to rejoin the Dodgers on Tuesday, Dave Roberts said.
— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) August 30, 2026
Sounds like Justin Wrobleski, who pitched for OKC last night, is also close to returning to LA (in a relief role).
Smith landed on the injured list June 11 with neck inflammation, though he hadn’t appeared in a game for nearly a week prior to that point. The catcher described his injury as an “inflamed disc” upon moving to the injured list.
The 31-year-old backstop had a successful rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, playing four games with the Comets heading into Sunday. He made headlines after hitting a homer and throwing a runner out in his first game back, and has a .831 OPS through 13 at-bats in Triple-A.
Prior to his injury, Smith featured in 52 games—splitting time with Dalton Rushing, who is also injured, behind the plate. He has six homers and 23 RBIs on the season, as well as a .720 OPS on the year, which falls just below league average for a 98 OPS+.
While his numbers don’t quite measure up to the .901 OPS he posted last season, the Dodgers will be glad to have one of their biggest bats back in the lineup when he returns. LA’s offense hasn’t performed consistently over the course of August, and Smith’s presence in the heart of the lineup could be key for the remainder of the Dodgers’ season.
May 15, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) runs during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn ImagesHow Have the Dodgers Replaced Will Smith and Dalton Rushing?
The Dodgers had an active trade deadline after losing both Smith and Rushing to injury, acquiring catchers Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia—both of whom are familiar with the organization.
Feduccia has taken the lion’s share of the reps behind the plate, featuring in 20 games and stepping up to the plate 49 times. He has a .735 OPS with one homer and four RBIs since his arrival in Los Angeles.
Rortvedt has 15 games under his belt as a Dodger this season, recording 24 plate appearances with the team. He hasn’t found much success at the plate, though, recording four hits—all of which were singles.
The Dodgers have a decision to make in the coming days, as Tuesday coincides with the expansion of MLB rosters to 28 players. They could dismiss one of their catchers and keep a two-man catching unit in favor of calling up depth elsewhere on the diamond, or they could keep both Rortvedt and Feduccia on the roster alongside Smith to ensure health at the catcher position.