The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Will Smith and Dalton Rushing off the injured list before Tuesday’s series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Their returns were part of multiple moves on the first day active rosters expanded, with Alex Freeland getting added and Justin Wrobleski returning from the injured list as well.
Ben Rortvedt DFA
Because Smith had been on the 60-day injured list, Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment in order to make room for Smith on the 40-man roster.
The Dodgers reunited with Rortvedt at the trade deadline as their catching situation became tenuous due to the Smith and Rushing injuries. Rortvedt didn’t replicate his offensive success from late last year, and now is passing through waivers.
Alek Thomas optioned
The Dodgers optioned Alek Thomas was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move to Rushing returning. Thomas was added onto the roster on Aug. 22 due to Andy Pages being placed on the injured list with a fractured left hand.
Thomas started in six of eight games he was with the Dodgers. He collected one RBI in his first three starts for the team.
Dalton Rushing’s role
Rushing getting activated at this point comes as a mild surprise. He had been out since Aug. 3 because of a slight tear in the UCL in his right elbow. The latest indication from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was that the team didn’t know if Rushing would be capable of catching this season.
However, Rushing made encouraging progress in his recovery and set a personal goal of returning in a full capacity. It’s not yet clear if that will be the case, but the 25-year-old at minimum will be a valuable left-handed bat off the bench.
Rushing’s possible limitations has Hunter Feduccia still in place to fill the backup catcher role.
Will Smith back with Dodgers
Smith returns on the first day active rosters expanded to 28 players, which became his target date after beginning a rehab assignment. He appeared in five games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, four at catcher and one as their designated hitter.
Smith went 4-for-16 with two doubles, one home run and two RBI while playing the Comets. He is now back with the Dodgers after missing nearly four months because of neck inflammation. He last played for L.A. on June 5, and upon getting scratched the next night, was only expected to miss one or two games.
Instead, Smith’s injury was more serious than the Dodgers initially believed as he continued to be bothered by an inflamed disc. It wasn’t until the middle of August that Roberts relayed Smith was at last pain-free.
“It’s crucial,” Roberts recently said when Smith’s return was on the horizon. “The experience, the calmness in the box, the managing of the pitching staff, all that stuff is crucial.”
Smith wasn’t at his best offensively before suffering the neck injury, but his presence should help stabilize a Dodgers lineup that remains without Andy Pages because of a fractured left hand.
Smith hit .249/.338/.382 with five doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI across 52 games before going on the injured list.
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