Will Smith was a late scratch from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies due to right hand soreness.
That came one day after Smith returned to the lineup for the first time since taking a foul ball off his right hand on Sept. 3. Based on the results of an X-ray and CT scan on his right hand taken last week, the Dodgers believed Smith was healthy enough to avoid the injured list.
However, he is dealing with a bone bruise in his hand that will need to be managed for the rest of 2025.
Friday saw Smith not in the lineup for a second straight game despite undergoing an MRI that also came back negative. But with Smith still experiencing some trouble with his right hand, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are considering placing him on the injured list, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Dave Roberts said an MRI on Will Smith’s hand came back clean, but that it still “doesn’t feel great”
Roberts said the team has discussed potentially putting him on the IL to give it more time to heal, but that they’re “not there yet.” Smith is available off the bench if needed https://t.co/6nM90Q0Prw
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 13, 2025
When he last played on Tuesday, Smith was able to complete an entire game and collected a double in four at-bats.
With Dalton Rushing currently on the 10-day injured list with a right shin contusion, Ben Rortvedt is the only catcher on the active roster capable of starting at the moment.
Rushing did begin a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets on Thursday. He has made one start at catcher and one as the designated hitter, going one-for-five with three walks in his first two games with the Comets.
If the Dodgers did need to bring up another catcher for the time being, Chuckie Robinson remains on the 40-man roster after a short stint with the club last week.
Ben Rortvedt filling in for Will Smith
The Dodgers acquired Rortvedt in a three-team deal with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline to replace Hunter Feduccia as the third catcher on their organizational depth chart.
He has appeared in seven games for the Dodgers since being called up on Sept. 4 and has earned the praise of Roberts and teammates alike.
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