Dodgers Catcher Will Smith Nears Return After Injury; Begins Training with Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers Star Catcher Will Smith Nears Return After Two-Month Injury Layoff

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, sidelined for over two months due to neck inflammation, has resumed throwing and is slated to begin batting practice this week, according to manager Dave Roberts. Smith has been out of the lineup since June 7, leaving a void in the Dodgers’ active roster and forcing front-office depth adjustments.

Fantasy & Market Impact

Decoding the Injury Timeline and Front-Office Depth Adjustments

When Will Smith exited the lineup back in early June, the initial diagnosis pointed to a routine bout of neck stiffness. But the tape and the recovery timeline told a far more complex story, stretching a minor morning ailment into an absence spanning more than two months.

In the wake of Smith’s injury, the Dodgers initially leaned on 26-year-old Dalton Rushing to absorb the defensive workload. Yet, the physical toll mounted across the roster when Rushing suffered a minor ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear in his right elbow. Faced with personnel constraints, the front office moved on the trade market, acquiring 28-year-old Ben Rortvedt and 29-year-old Hunter Feduccia to stabilize the catching position.

Tactical Integration and Upcoming Rehab Progression

Catcher	Age	Acquisition Context	Role During Smith Absence
Will Smith			Primary Starter (Injured)
Dalton Rushing	26		Primary Fill-in (UCL Strain)
Ben Rortvedt	28	Trade Acquisition	Defensive Depth / Split Duty
Hunter Feduccia	29	Trade Acquisition	Roster Depth / Matchup Option

With Smith now pairing up with teammate Shohei Ohtani for pre-game throwing sessions, the offensive engine of the Dodgers is visibly close to full strength. Dave Roberts confirmed the next critical benchmark for the catcher: live batting practice sessions scheduled throughout the week.

The Season-Defining Stretch Ahead

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