The Dodgers’ need for a catcher at the trade deadline might be decreasing.
On Tuesday, manager Dave Roberts announced that All-Star backstop Will Smith has begun baseball activities again, saying the catcher is finally “pain-free” from a neck injury that has sidelined him since early June.
Smith will now begin a throwing and hitting program, in addition to increased work in the weight room.
The news came as an encouraging development for the Dodgers, who had been closely monitoring the 31-year-old’s progress while evaluating the need to potentially add another catcher before next Monday’s trade deadline.
All-Star backstop Will Smith has begun baseball activities again IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I’m excited to hear that he is starting some baseball activities,” Roberts said.
Last week, sources told the California Post that the Dodgers hadn’t ramped up their efforts to add another catcher amid Smith’s ongoing absence. The team wasn’t believed to be looking for a bigger name at the position, either, instead weighing the possibility of bolstering their catching depth behind second-year backup Dalton Rushing.
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Still, any further setbacks or delays in Smith’s recovery might have altered their approach.
As Roberts noted over the weekend, it was going to be “helpful” to have more clarity on Smith’s status before deadline decisions had to be made.
Now, finally, a tangible update has arrived –– reinforcing the Dodgers’ optimism in having Smith back at full health for the stretch run of the season and the start of the playoffs.
Still, any further setbacks or delays in Smith’s recovery might have altered their approach. Wally Skalij for CA Post
Smith has not played since June 5, when he first developed what was initially described as minor stiffness in his neck. However, the pain continued to linger, leading to a doctor’s visit in which Smith was diagnosed with an inflamed disc in his neck. His previous attempts to ramp up activity were scuttled by recurring pain, ultimately prompting the team to shut him down for a week during the All-Star break.
Since then, though, Smith has seemingly turned a corner.
And while his timeline to return is unclear, the team’s confidence in eventually getting him back should only lessen their urgency to make a notable acquisition behind the plate in the coming days.
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The Dodgers could still use more catching depth, with rookie Eliezer Alfonzo currently serving in a backup role behind Rushing –– who himself has had an up-and-down second season in the big leagues.
Last year, the club added Ben Rortvedt at the deadline, and wound up turning to him to start their first four playoff games while Smith recovered from a broken hand.
Someone like Rortvedt, who is now in triple-A with the Mets, could make sense as another deadline addition this year.
But ideally, the Dodgers won’t need any extra catching help come October, with Smith finally back on the road to recovery almost two months into his IL stint.
But ideally, the Dodgers won’t need any extra catching help come October, with Smith finally back on the road to recovery almost two months into his IL stint. Wally Skalij for CA Post
Snell, Glasnow progressing too
In other positive injury news on Tuesday, Roberts expressed confidence in the status of both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, as they continue to take steps toward returning to the active roster.
On Wednesday, Snell is scheduled to throw four innings in a minor-league rehab game with single-A Ontario, while Glasnow will face hitters in a live batting practice session at Dodger Stadium for the second time in the last couple weeks.
Snell could be ready to rejoin the Dodgers after his outing, while Glasnow could be ready to begin his own minor-league rehab assignment after his.
Both pitchers have been out since early May, when Glasnow went down with back spasms and Snell underwent a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow.
“I feel very confident [about the state of our rotation],” Roberts said, even though Shohei Ohtani’s next steps as a pitcher remain undecided as he continues to nurse a knee injury. “I feel very good for the rest of the season with all three of these guys.”
