The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a critical juncture as their All-Star catcher, Will Smith, remains sidelined indefinitely with an inflamed disk in his neck. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Friday that Smith is not hitting, catching, or throwing and is shut down for at least another week.
Smith, a three-time All-Star, has already missed five weeks due to the injury. While the team is counting on his return this season, the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline poses a significant challenge, especially with the Aug. 3 trade deadline looming. "We don't know," Roberts stated regarding Smith's potential return, "but we are certainly counting on it."
The Dodgers acknowledge that Smith is borderline irreplaceable due to his offensive production. His continued absence puts the team in a difficult position, as they cannot enter the postseason with only Dalton Rushing as their primary viable catcher.
This situation has prompted speculation about potential trade targets. Acquiring a catcher of Adley Rutschman's caliber could present a dilemma if Smith returns as expected or even in a diminished capacity. A more practical, albeit offensively limited, option could be Ben Rortvedt, whom the Dodgers designated for assignment earlier this season but who caught for them in last year's postseason. Rortvedt is currently playing for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse and would be an inexpensive acquisition familiar with the Dodgers' pitching staff. However, his offensive numbers, batting .190 for the Dodgers in 18 games last year and .210 for Syracuse this season, raise concerns.
The team's medical staff has shifted its approach to Smith's treatment, moving from trying to get him active to having him do nothing for several days to see how he responds. Head trainer Thomas Albert reported that Smith is currently pain-free, which Roberts described as a positive development. However, the recovery is expected to be a "slow ramp-up," with a potential return not anticipated until the end of next month at the earliest.
Smith's calm demeanor has been a valuable asset in crucial moments, including the postseason, where he has delivered game-winning hits. His regular-season statistics in late-game, close situations are particularly noteworthy. As the Dodgers prepare for the stretch run and potential postseason play, they must now develop contingency plans to compete effectively without their star catcher.