Just as Austin Barnes is surging behind work with Mookie Betts on his swing, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be on the verge of having their expected catching tandem back in its complete form. Will Smith has been out since Aug. 15 due to neck inflammation.
Smith’s stint was retroactive to Aug. 13, which makes Sunday the first day he’s eligible to reinstated, and the Dodgers are targeting their series finale with the Colorado Rockies. “Will took four at-bats today at the secondary site,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday.
“Felt good, had a couple hits, running down the line, he caught, felt good afterward. A very positive day. I think he’s going to do more of the same [Saturday] and if all goes well, I expect him to be in the lineup on Sunday.”
Smith is just 6-for-32 (.188 batting average) with two home runs and eight RBI in 14 games this season. Prior to being sidelined he largely alternated start days with Barnes until catching in three consecutive games. Aug. 10-12.
However, Smith came out of that third straight start in the top of the fifth inning. He aggravated a minor neck injury that Roberts described as “remnants” of a collision at the plate in San Diego the week prior.
The Dodgers had initially hoped Smith would avoid a stint on the IL. In electing to make a roster move, it paved the way for Keibert Ruiz to make his MLB debut. Ruiz took full advantage, hitting a home run in his first at-bat.
Ruiz has made two starts thus far and is 5-for-8 with the one homer and RBI. He presumably will be optioned as the corresponding move to activating Smith.
Roberts hoped Barnes would capitalize
While Barnes was struggling at the plate when Smith went down with the neck trouble, Roberts expressed hope he would benefit from receiving a regular string of starts. Barnes has produced an eight-game hitting streak entering Friday’s game against the Rockies.
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