The Dodgers placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, due to neck inflammation.
Smith has missed the Dodgers' last four games because of his injured neck, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed Wednesday that the All-Star backstop would require an IL stint and ramp-up period before returning to action. Dalton Rushing will fill in behind the plate most days while Smith is out, and Chuckie Robinson will join the big club from Triple-A to work as the backup catcher.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Ticketed for injured list
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The Dodgers will place Smith (neck) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
After sitting him down for four straight games because of neck soreness, the Dodgers have officially decided to send Smith to the injured list. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that the 31-year-old backstop is progressing but has missed too much time to return without a ramp-up period. He'll be eligible to return to the Dodgers' lineup June 19; meanwhile, Dalton Rushing will take over as Los Angeles' primary catcher, and Chuckie Robinson will come up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide depth.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Likely bound for IL
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Smith (neck) will "most likely" be placed on the injured list, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports. "We'll have to make that decision at some point in time [after Wednesday's game against the Pirates]," Roberts said.
Roberts acknowledged that the three-time All-Star is progressing, but Smith -- who will be out of the lineup Wednesday for a fourth straight game -- has missed enough time at this point that he'll require a ramp-up period before returning to action, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Dalton Rushing will step in as the Dodgers' top backstop for the duration of Smith's absence, and Los Angeles will likely call up Chuckie Robinson or Eliezer Alfonzo from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh to serve as Rushing's understudy.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Not starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
Though recent imaging on Smith's neck revealed nothing overly concerning, the catcher will nonetheless remain on the bench for a fourth straight game Wednesday. Smith was able to do some throwing and take some indoor batting practice prior to Tuesday's series opener in Pittsburgh, but a stint on the injured list could still be in play for the 31-year-old. Dalton Rushing will make another start Wednesday and is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster for the moment, but the Dodgers opened up a spot by releasing infielder Tyler Fitzgerald and can now more easily promote another backstop from the minors if Smith needs to go on the IL.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Injured list stint possible
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Smith (neck) "still doesn't feel right" and might need a stint on the injured list, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.
Smith did some hitting and played catch pregame Tuesday, but his neck is still giving him trouble when he's in the batter's box. He's missing a third straight start Tuesday and his condition will have to improve soon if he wants to avoid the IL. If Smith requires a stay on the shelf, Dalton Rushing would be in line for regular starts at catcher for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
Smith (neck) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh.
Smith missed the final two games of the weekend series versus the Angels with neck stiffness, and he remains out of the lineup even after Monday's team off day. Dalton Rushing is catching and batting eighth for the Dodgers against the Pirates.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Absent from Sunday's lineup
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Smith (neck) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Smith was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a neck issue, which will also keep him out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Dalton Rushing will start behind home plate and bat sixth. The Dodgers have an off day Monday, so Smith could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Scratched Saturday
Rotowire
Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.
The Dodgers haven't announced why Smith was taken out of the starting nine, but more details should come in the near future. In the meantime, Dalton Rushing will fill in as the Dodgers' catcher and bat eighth.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Idle Tuesday
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Smith is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.
Smith is getting some rest after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout during the series opener in Arizona on Monday. Dalton Rushing has the start behind the plate Tuesday and is batting eighth.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Not in Sunday's lineup
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Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Smith started the previous five games and will get a breather Sunday after going 5-for-14 with a double and two homers during that stretch. Dalton Rushing will take over behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale versus Philadelphia.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Goes yard in win
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Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Phillies.
Smith has three extra-base hits (two homers, one double) over his last three contests. The catcher is batting a modest .235 (16-for-68) in May, but he's hit three of his six homers on the year during the month. He's hitting .255 with a .732 OPS, 23 RBI, 21 runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 181 plate appearances this season.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Clubs two-run homer
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Smith went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a hit-by-pitch and a second run scored in Tuesday's 15-6 win over the Rockies.
Smith logged his first multi-hit effort since May 11 versus the Giants. The catcher has remained a regular presence in the lineup for the Dodgers, and with Dalton Rushing cooling off in May (5-for-36 over 14 games), Smith's playing time is under less of a threat. For the season, Smith is batting .248 with a .692 OPS, five homers, 22 RBI, 20 runs scored, three doubles and no stolen bases across 45 contests.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Sitting Sunday
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Smith is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Brewers on Sunday.
Smith will be on the bench for the second time in three games while Dalton Rushing starts behind home plate and bats seventh. Since May 1, Smith has gone 12-for-57 (.211) with one home run and five RBI.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Exiting starting nine
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Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Milwaukee.
Smith started at catcher in all three games against the Padres earlier this week, but he will get a breather for Friday's series opener versus the Brewers. Dalton Rushing will be behind the dish and batting eighth for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Getting breather Sunday
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Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Smith started the previous six games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-19 with three walks, a homer, three RBI and four runs during that stretch. Dalton Rushing will step in behind the plate and bat seventh for the series finale in Anaheim.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Batting leadoff
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Smith is leading off as the designated hitter Thursday versus the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
This is the first time in Smith's MLB career that he is hitting leadoff. He is taking over Shohei Ohtani's position and spot in the lineup Thursday while Dalton Rushing starts behind the plate. Smith has an underwhelming .229/.317/.371 slash line with two doubles and a homer through 10 games in May.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Idle Sunday
Rotowire
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Smith will receive a breather for the series finale after going 1-for-7 with a walk while starting behind the plate during the first two contests of the series. Dalton Rushing will handle catching duties for the finale versus Atlanta.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Exiting starting nine
Rotowire
Smith is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Houston.
Smith started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he will get some rest during Wednesday's matinee. Dalton Rushing will be behind the dish and bat seventh in the rubber match.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Knocks three hits Monday
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Smith went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run and an RBI in an 8-3 win against Houston on Monday.
Smith got a rest day Sunday and responded to his return to the lineup with his third three-hit performance of the season. The All-Star backstop's knocks included a pair of doubles, which were his first extra-base hits since April 24. Smith's power has been somewhat lacking this season -- he has a modest three home runs and three doubles through 30 games -- but he's slashing a nice .280/.348/.400 with 12 runs, 16 RBI and an 11:19 BB:K.
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Dodgers' Will Smith: Getting Sunday off
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Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.
Smith will take a seat after going 1-for-6 with two walks and a strikeout in the first two games of the series. Dalton Rushing is taking over behind the plate and batting sixth for the Dodgers.
