BALTIMORE, MA—When the roster was setting up to look the healthiest it has all season, the Los Angeles Dodgers could be without Will Smith for the next several days after the backstop was hit in the right hand with a foul ball on Wednesday’s game in Pittsburgh.
The Dodgers later announced that Smith left the game due to a right-hand contusion; however, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Smith’s X-rays were clean.
Despite the initial results, the Dodgers sent Smith to get further imaging done on his hand, prompting them to promote minor league catcher Ben Rortvedt, who was acquired in the three-team trade from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for former Dodgers catcher Hunter Feduccia.
However, with the situation still unclear, the team did not want to place Smith on the 10-day injured list, which would risk losing him for over a week in a tight division race and push for the number two seed in the National League.
Roberts already indicated that Smith will likely miss the entire three-game weekend in Baltimore, but the team hopes that he’t need to be placed on the injured list.
Smith has been enjoying a career year in 2025, batting .296/.405/.497 with nineteen doubles, seventeen home runs, and sixty-one RBI. His 153 wRC+ is Smith’s highest mark over a full season and is just off pace from the 160 wRC+ he posted in 2020.
In Smith’s absence, the Dodgers will turn to top prospect Dalton Rushing, who has yet to get it fully going at the major league level, adjusting to being a full-time backup to Smith.
Rushing went 1-for-3 with a double off National League Cy Young favorite Paul Skenes, and the Dodgers will finally get their first look at him in an everyday role this weekend.
Overall, the 24-year-old is hitting .193/.258/.303 with a 56 wRC+ in 132 plate appearances this season.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
