Smith's Injury Delay
Los Angeles Dodgers Catcher Will Smith's Neck Injury Delays Return
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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will not return this weekend, and his status for the upcoming road trip to Minnesota is uncertain, Associated Press reported. The three-time All-Star received a cortisone injection on June 19 to treat an inflamed disc in his cervical spine — a complication that has now kept him out of at least 11 straight games.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Smith won't be activated for the weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, according to Gazette Extra. The Dodgers, who hold a commanding 8.0-game lead in the NL West with a 48-27 record, are proceeding with caution rather than rushing their $140 million catcher back too soon.
How a Bad Pillow Became a Cortisone Shot
The injury crept up slowly. Smith was removed early from a May 24 game against the Milwaukee Brewers. By early June, he was experiencing severe neck stiffness during a road series in Arizona. When he was scratched from the "Freeway Series" against the Angels on June 5–6, Roberts initially called it a "bad pillow" or "poor night's sleep," according to LA Times.
The Dodgers officially placed Smith on the 10-day injured list on June 11 with "neck inflammation," backdated to June 8. He completed a full day of hitting and throwing on June 16, raising hopes for a June 19 return. But recovery stalled. Smith told reporters the injury made it hard to "track pitches" and called it a "long few days," per NH Register.
Roberts Chooses Caution Over a Quick Fix
Roberts was direct about the team's thinking. "It's certainly probably playable if we needed it," he said. "But at what cost? Right now, I just don't think it's smart to run Will out there just because he's Will Smith." The cortisone injection Smith received is meant to reduce the inflammation and "minimize the sensation" from the disc, according to Beaumont Enterprise.
Head athletic trainer Thomas Albert is guiding the decision-making. Roberts described it as Smith "grinding through a neck situation" — language that suggests the discomfort is real and ongoing. Smith's Minnesota road trip status remains listed as "TBD."
Rookie Dalton Rushing Steps Into a Tough Spot
With Smith out, top prospect Dalton Rushing has taken over as the primary catcher. Journeyman Chuckie Robinson, 31, was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to serve as his backup. The duo gives the Dodgers coverage, but neither brings the veteran bat that Smith provides — his .826 career OPS compared to his .720 OPS so far in 2026.
The Dodgers' +126 run differential through 60 games — the best in the expansion era since 1961 — gives the team room to absorb the loss, according to NH Register. Still, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman may look to add catching depth before the trade deadline, with October in mind.
Cervical Disc Injuries Carry Real Long-Term Risk
Neck injuries are especially dangerous for catchers. The position demands constant head rotation to track pitches and check runners — exactly what Smith says is causing him discomfort. If the cortisone injection fails to resolve the problem, the team could face a harder decision about surgery, which can cause diminished grip strength and lasting nerve issues, per Associated Press.
Smith has dealt with neck problems before, including a 10-day IL stint in 2020 for a similar issue. Sports medical analysts warn that a catcher "thinking about his neck" becomes a defensive liability who may "compensate in ways that create other problems." For now, the Dodgers are betting the injection buys Smith enough time to return healthy before the postseason push.
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