Will Smith has become a fan favorite despite just nine career games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In those nine games, however, Smith has hit thee home runs, two of them for walk-offs.
Additionally, he has had a breakout year in the batter’s box as the everyday catcher for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, addressing the biggest weakness for a player who president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman lauded as a gold glove-caliber backstop in Spring Training.
Fresh off an appearance on the Pacific Coast League roster for the Triple-A All-Star game, Smith hit two home runs to help the Oklahoma City Dodgers to another win on Monday. It only increased the speculation that he may soon be called up for good as Austin Barnes continues to struggle as a hitter.
However, Smith’s dream season seemed to endure a speedbump Wednesday, as he misread a pitch from and it hit him on his right wrist, forcing him out of OKC’s game against the Iowa Cubs, according to Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register:
Tough blow for Oklahoma City catcher Will Smith. Smith got crossed up by a pitch and appeared to be hit in the wrist. Tried to stay in the game but airmailed a couple of practice throws into LF. He's done.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 18, 2019
Nothing official from the Oklahoma City #Dodgers. But the early reports seem positive for Will Smith. Smith left the game after getting crossed up with a pitch and getting hit in the wrist/hand. Guessing we'll know more tomorrow.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 18, 2019
Smith was one night removed from hitting two home runs, including a first career grand slam, to lead Oklahoma City to a win over Iowa. Smith additionally tied a career high with seven RBI.
He is not far removed from spending time on the 10-day injured list due to an oblique issue. Smith suffered the injury on a check-swing during a game with the Dodgers, which negated his option and required the club to put him on the Major League IL.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time he didn’t believe Smith’s injury to be serious. The severity of his latest trouble is unclear at this time.
If the Dodgers are to lose Smith for an extended period of time, he would join a growing list of injuries. Rich Hill remains sidelined by a strained flexor tendon, Scott Alexander’s recovery process is taking longer than expected, and Chris Taylor recently suffered a fractured left forearm.
