The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Will Smith on the 10-day injured list with neck inflammation and called up Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Smith’s IL stint is backdated to June 8, which makes him eligible to return on June 19.
The catcher was out of the Dodgers’ lineup for the final two games of the Freeway Series and the first two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dalton Rushing has been in the lineup each day with Smith trending toward an IL stint.
Smith was first scratched from the lineup on Saturday, and the Dodgers believed he would be back the following day. They also believed the neck stiffness was a day-to-day situation and hoped he would avoid the IL.
Smith had imaging taken of his neck, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the results “checked out” and were “good.”
But the Dodgers made Wednesday the target date for Smith to be healthy before deciding to make the roster move following the game.
It’s unclear what caused Smith’s neck issue, but it primarily affects him while hitting. The discomfort is also limited to one side of Smith’s neck, but Roberts wasn’t sure which side.
The 31-year-old has been in the midst of a down offensive season, batting .249/.338/.382 with five doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI over 52 games.
<2>Dodgers add Chuckie Robinson to roster
The Dodgers called up Robinson after adding him to their 40-man roster on Thursday. Tyler Fitzgerlad was released early on Wednesday to open the 40-man spot.
Robinson re-signed with the Dodgers on a Minor League contract during this past offseason. He first joined the organization on May 31, 2025 after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels.
Robinson had two stints with the Dodgers in September last year, first when Dalton Rushing landed on the IL, and again when Smith was placed on the IL.
However, he finished the season with the Atlanta Braves organization after they claimed him off waivers in late September.
Robinson only played in one game with the Dodgers, going 0-for-1 but scoring a run after reaching on a fielder’s choice.
He has spent parts of three seasons at the MLB level, first making his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022, and again appearing with the Chicago White Sox in 2024.
Robinson has appeared in 52 games, hitting .131/.169/.192 with two doubles, two home runs, five RBI and six runs scored.
With the Comets this season, the 31-year-old is batting .260/.321/.442 in 31 games with two home runs, 18 RBI and seven runs scored.
If you love our reporting, choose DodgerBlue.com as a preferred source on Google.
