The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a rash of injuries throughout the season, and Will Smith was the latest casualty added to the list.
Smith exited Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning after taking a foul ball off his right hand in the bottom of the second. He was pinch-hit for by Dalton Rushing, who played out the rest of the game behind the plate.
After a brief conversation with the Dodgers’ head trainer, Smith initially put on his helmet and batting gloves in the third inning to attempt to continue the contest. But he was called back after Mookie Betts struck out looking.
The Dodgers announced Smith came out of the game due to a right hand contusion and an X-ray that night came back negative, but additional testing loomed.
According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers believe Smith will avoid going on the 10-day injured list after encouraging results from a CT scan on his right hand:
Dave Roberts said, based on the results of Will Smith’s CT scan, they believe can avoid the IL. But he still doesn’t expect him to play this weekend
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 5, 2025
Smith has been enjoying a career year in 2025, batting .296/.405/.497 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs and 61 RBI. His 153 wRC+ is Smith’s highest mark over a full season and is just off pace from the 160 wRC+ he posted in 2020.
Smith has benefited greatly from the Dodgers’ careful management of his workload this season, avoiding the second-half decline in production he had become prone to over recent seasons.
He has been one of the most valuable pieces of the Dodgers’ offensive attack this season. He is second only to Shohei Ohtani in terms of wRC+ among Dodgers hitters in 2025.
Ben Rortvedt joins Dodgers because of Will Smith injury
With the Dodgers in need of a backup catcher, they selected the contract of Ben Rortvedt from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Alex Freeland was optioned in order to make room on the active roster and the Dodgers designated Alexis Díaz for assignment to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.
Rortvedt was acquired at the trade deadline this season from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team deal that involved the Cincinnati Reds. He was part of a trade package that included reliever Paul Gervase and pitching prospect Adam Serwinowski, with Hunter Feduccia going to the Rays.
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