After a strong start at the plate to begin his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Will Smith’s offensive production has trended downward for the better part of May.
The three-time All-Star was just 7-for-42 (.167) with one home run and three RBI over his last 12 games entering play Saturday.
Smith was held out of the Dodgers lineup on Friday when they began a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers despite that following an off day on their schedule.
Manager Dave Roberts also doesn’t have Smith in the lineup on Sunday with hopes of getting him back on track, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
Coming off the team off day on Thursday, Smith was not in the starting lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he planned to start backup catcher Dalton Rushing in two of the three games this weekend to give Smith “a little bit of a break to re-set.”
“I think just for me the last few weeks Will has been grinding,” Roberts said. “I’ve caught him a lot. He’s working on his swing. So for me, to give him two days off – one to kind of re-set, the off day (Thursday), this one to watch a game and work on his swing and not have to play.”
With Smith sitting out on Friday, Dalton Rushing benefited by getting the start behind the plate. He also is in the lineup on Sunday after Smith returned for the middle matchup at American Family Field.
Smith did single and drive in a run on Saturday, but finished the day 1-for-4.
As the 31-year-old navigates his lengthy slump, Roberts dropped him down to the No. 7 spot in the Dodgers lineup on Wednesday. It was the first time this year he batted lower than fifth.
Smith is hitting .247/.319/.349 with three doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI in 146 at-bats across 43 games this season.
Dave Roberts comments on Will Smith’s struggles
Roberts recently attributed Smith’s struggles to not catching up to heaters.
“He’s not hitting the fastball. For me, there’s a lot of he’s missing the fastball,” Roberts said. “I think there’s sliders, spin, that’s in zone that he’s just missing.
“I think when you’re not squaring up the fastball and you’re missing spin, that’s a tough combo. Again, the intent, the grind of at-bats, is certainly there. But it’s just not ending at-bats when he typically does.”
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