Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Will Smith continues to be limited by his neck injury and a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup now won’t come until some point in the second half of the season.
The Dodgers were initially optimistic Smith would not miss much time, but his absence is approaching a full month and manager Dave Roberts said the expectation is that will extend through the All-Star break, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he “just can’t see any world” in which Smith would return before the All-Star break, which concludes July 16.
Even with a recent injection to help with the lingering discomfort, Smith’s neck has not improved enough for the Dodgers to have him resume baseball related activities. Roberts recently noted he wasn’t certain if Smith received a cortisone shot or epidural.
While the situation has evolved into more of an issue than the Dodgers anticipated, their cautious handling of Smith certainly is warranted. While the team would be better off with the three-time All-Star back in the lineup, they have still been able to stack wins while Smith recovers.
Additionally, a 12-game lead in the National League West goes a long way toward providing peace of mind.
The Dodgers enjoyed a very good month of June in which they went 18-9, playing all but four of those games without Smith.
A large portion of the Dodgers’ success has been powered by the resurgence of their three MVPs. Recent contributions of Mookie Betts alongside Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani has gone a long way in making up for the absence of Smith.
With all of the advantages currently working in the Dodgers’ favor, it is no surprise to see them take a cautious approach with their starting catcher. It is part of a larger trend for the organization over the years.
Whether or not it is hubris, the regular season does not carry much weight for the Dodgers because it is virtually guaranteed a playoff spot each year. A 13-year long playoff streak is a logical reason for that level of confidence.
Dalton Rushing’s performance in place of Will Smith
Dalton Rushing has taken over the starting spot behind the plate in the wake of Smith’s injury. The results have not been great for the second-year player occupying an extended full-time role for the first time in the Majors.
Rushing hit .207/.305/.326 in his last 30 games entering Wednesday. However, his .465 slugging percentage this season still poses a threat and makes him a serviceable option behind the dish.
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