The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing full strength with the activations of All-Star catcher Will Smith, catcher Dalton Rushing, and left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski from the injured list. Infielder Alex Freeland was also added to the Major League Baseball roster on Tuesday.

Smith, who has been an All-Star in each of the last three complete seasons, had not played since June 5 due to a neck injury. In 52 games this season, he has recorded six home runs, 23 RBIs, and a .249/.338/.382 slash line with a 101 OPS+.

Rushing, who stepped in as the primary catcher during Smith's absence, was sidelined on August 1 with an arm injury. Across 74 games, he has hit 12 home runs and driven in 36 runs, posting a .253/.335/.475 slash line with a 123 OPS+ and 1.4 wins above replacement.

Wrobleski last pitched for the Dodgers on July 28 and subsequently landed on the injured list with a forearm injury. He had been an All-Star earlier in the season. Across 20 starts and 21 appearances this year, Wrobleski has a 3.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 114 ERA+ and two wins above replacement over 126 ⅓ innings.

To make room on the roster for the returning players, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Alek Thomas and catcher Ben Rortvedt, who was acquired from the New York Mets before the MLB trade deadline, to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Dodgers' pitching staff is also seeing reinforcements. Left-hander Blake Snell is four starts away from returning from elbow surgery, and right-hander Tyler Glasnow was activated last week after a roughly 15-week absence due to back spasms.

Superstar two-way player Shohei Ohtani remains on the injured list due to knee inflammation and a biceps issue, though he has continued to serve as the team's designated hitter.

Los Angeles holds the National League's second-best record at 82-55. They are a half-game ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the second wild-card spot and trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 2.5 games for the best record in the NL. The Dodgers also maintain a 9.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West.

The Dodgers are scheduled to begin a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.