The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without one of their most consistent hitters in Will Smith since Sunday, when he was placed on the seven-day concussion list. The roster move was retroactive to April 13, which made Thursday the earliest date Smith could be activated.
Smith had missed the first two games of the Chicago Cubs series at Dodger Stadium due to what manager Dave Roberts described as an “illness.” Smith’s concussion was a result of being struck in the face by three foul balls during last Tuesday’s game at Oracle Park.
While the 28-year-old was eligible to return at the start of the Dodgers’ road trip, Roberts indicated he will remain sidelined for the time being. “Thursday is not going to happen,” Roberts said.
Smith nevertheless is making progress and will soon resume baseball activities. “Will’s getting better each day. I think it’s getting better each day,” Roberts added.
“So we’re still a ways out for me, as far as he’s still got to catch ‘pens, work up a sweat, get his heart rate up, kind of go through the regular preparation for us to feel confident that he can kind of not have a setback. So yeah, he’s days away at the minimum.”
Smith had expressed optimism he would be activated on Thursday, but Roberts explained the Dodgers are being cautious with him.
“It’s just my coach’s hat is on and I think there’s some things that he needs to do to feel confident that we’re not going to regress, I want to put him in the best position to have success and not just run him out there,” Roberts said. “I think it’s great that he feels good.”
Will Smith missing Cubs series
As Smith works to get back on the field, Roberts has already ruled out a return during the series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Smith is batting .333/.417/.641 with three doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI over 11 games.
With Smith on the mend, the Dodgers signed Austin Wynns two days after he elected free agency upon clearing waivers following the San Francisco Giants designating him for assignment.
Wynns gives the club a true backup catcher while Smith recovers, and he immediately made an impact in his debut against the New York Mets, delivering a two-run double in his first at-bat.
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