The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Will Smith since June 6, when he was scratched from the lineup due to neck stiffness.
There was initial optimism Smith would return the following game, but that didn’t wind up being the case. Nor was an expected return when the Dodgers began a road trip right after. The three-time All-Star was ultimately placed on the 10-day injured list with the expectation he would rejoin the team once eligible to be activated.
However, that also didn’t transpire as Smith continued to be plagued by neck discomfort. Now as the month of June draws to a close, the 31-year-old could remain sidelined for the remainder of the unofficial first half of the season.
“I think we’re all surprised how long it’s taken,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Smith’s absence. “I hope he’s back before the All-Star break, but the more time he’s off, he’s going to have to play some games. So that kind of cuts into the time of return to us.
“So I really don’t know and I don’t want to add any pressure to him. I want him to be healthy. Once he gets healthy, then we can have that conversation.”
Smith’s official designation for the IL was neck inflammation. Roberts still isn’t certain if the injury involves a muscle, disc or nerve.
“I don’t know. I should know, but I don’t. I don’t want to say the wrong answer,” the Dodgers skipper said.
Will Smith limited
Smith previously had imaging taken of his neck, which was said to have yielded encouraging results. He was also administered an injection earlier this month to help alleviate some of the discomfort. Roberts at the time indicated it was a cortisone shot, but this weekend noted it may have been an epidural.
“He’s feeling some relief, but he still isn’t doing baseball activities,” Roberts said.
Smith’s overall production this season is far below expectations and normal trends. He’s batting just .249/.338/.382 with five doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI through 52 games.
Smith was 2-for-13 with one double, three walks and three strikeouts in four games this month prior to landing on the IL. He initially attempted to play through the neck discomfort, which likely can be attributed to his struggles.
With Smith unavailable, Dalton Rushing has received the lion’s share of starts behind the plate. Chuckie Robinson, who was recently promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City, has taken over the backup catcher role for the time being.
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