Dodgers News: Will Smith Set to Return During Rockies Series
All-Star catcher Will Smith has be listed at day-to-day with a right hand bone bruise but per Dave Roberts, the backstop should return during the final two games vs the Rockies
LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers have had their fair share of injuries this season. While the start of the year was marked by pitching issues plagued by the injury bug, now it is the position player group suffering from it.
Over the course of the second half of the 2025 regular season, the Dodgers have lost multiple key position players to injury, such as utilitymen Hyeseong Kim, Kiké Hernández, and Tommy Edman, third baseman Max Muncy, and now both of their catchers in Will Smith and rookie Dalton Rushing.
Last Wednesday at PNC Park, Dodgers catcher Will Smith was removed from the game before his next at-bat after having a foul ball hit off his right hand.
The initial X-rays were negative, and a subsequent CT scan revealed a right-hand bone bruise that Smith will unfortunately have to manage for the rest of the season.
“That’s a good question. I don’t know that answer,” Roberts said when asked how the hand injury might affect Smith’s offense when he returns to the lineup.
“A bone bruise like that is probably going to be there for the rest of the season. How much it impedes his swing or throwing – don’t know that answer. The swelling is just not going to be completely gone by this season. I think it will be manageable and i hope it’s not too affecting.”
The Dodgers opted not to place Smith on the 10-day injured list, fearing that they’d lose his bat for a few critical series as the National League West race is down to just a one-game lead.
After resting on the bench during the weekend and recalling two minor league catchers in Chuckie Robinson and Ben Rortvedt, the Dodgers seem confident that Smith can return during the final two games versus the Rockies.
Before yesterday’s game, the Dodgers optioned catcher Chuckie Robinson back to Triple-A as the corresponding move for Max Muncy’s activation off the IL, a great sign that Smith was ready for game action.
Dave Roberts confirmed so during his annual pregame scrum, stating that Smith is ready for all baseball activities and could’ve been an option to pinch hit if needed.
Roberts continued that the plan is to start Smith for the final two games versus the Rockies, and with an off-day on Thursday, Smith should also be in the lineup for the start of their three-game weekend clash versus the San Francisco Giants.
Smith has had a strong 2025 season, hitting .296/.405/.497 with nineteen doubles, seventeen home runs, and sixty-one RBI. His 153 wRC+ is his best over a full season and is close to the 160 wRC+ he achieved in 2020. Hopefully, his return will provide a notable boost.
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