The Los Angeles Dodgers may see their need for a catcher at the trade deadline diminish with an encouraging update on All-Star backstop Will Smith.
Manager Dave Roberts announced Tuesday that Smith has commenced baseball activities and is now pain-free after a neck injury sidelined him since early June. Smith will begin a throwing and hitting program, alongside increased weight room work. This development is a positive sign for the Dodgers, who had been monitoring Smith's recovery while considering the possibility of adding another catcher before Monday's deadline.
"I'm excited to hear that he is starting some baseball activities," Roberts said. Last week, sources indicated the Dodgers had not intensified their search for a catcher due to Smith's ongoing absence. The team was reportedly not seeking a high-profile acquisition but rather considering options to bolster depth behind second-year backup Dalton Rushing.
Any further setbacks in Smith's recovery could have prompted a change in strategy, but Roberts had previously stated that clarity on Smith's status would be "helpful" in making deadline decisions. Smith's return to activity provides that clarity, reinforcing the team's optimism about having him healthy for the late season and playoffs.
Smith has not played since June 5, when he first experienced neck stiffness. The issue was later diagnosed as an inflamed disc, and previous attempts to resume activity were hampered by persistent pain, leading to him being shut down during the All-Star break. His recent turn suggests he is progressing.
While a definitive return timeline remains unclear, the team's confidence in Smith's eventual full health lessens the urgency to make a significant move behind the plate. The Dodgers currently have rookie Eliezer Alfonzo as a backup to Rushing, who has had an inconsistent season. In 2023, the team acquired Ben Rortvedt at the deadline, who ended up starting the first four playoff games while Smith recovered from a broken hand. A player similar to Rortvedt, now with the Mets' triple-A team, could still be a deadline addition, but the ideal scenario for the Dodgers is Smith's return.
In other injury news, Roberts expressed confidence in pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow's progress toward returning to the active roster. Snell is scheduled to throw four innings in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday, while Glasnow will face hitters in a live batting practice session at Dodger Stadium. Both pitchers have been sidelined since early May, Snell with an elbow procedure and Glasnow with back spasms. Roberts feels optimistic about the rotation with these pitchers nearing a return, though Shohei Ohtani's status as a pitcher remains undecided as he manages a knee injury.