Dodgers catcher Will Smith back in baseball activities but still sidelined by neck issues
After a brief return to practice, Smith’s neck discomfort keeps him out of games until after the All‑Star break.
- Will Smith returned to on‑field drills after a neck injury, reporting no pain.
- Later updates indicate his recovery stalled, keeping him out until after the All‑Star break.
- His absence impacts the Dodgers' defense, pitcher handling, and lineup power.
- The team plans continued rehab and a post‑break reassessment.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has resumed baseball activities after a neck injury that sidelined him earlier this season, but the lingering discomfort means he will not appear in a game until after the All‑Star break.
Core developments
According to a Yahoo Sports report, Smith was cleared to begin light baseball activities on the field, marking his first on‑field work since the injury was diagnosed in early May.Yahoo Sports NBC Sports echoed the update, noting that the Dodgers’ medical staff allowed him to participate in a controlled drill session without any reported pain.NBC Sports FantasyPros added that the catcher’s participation was limited to non‑contact drills and catching bullpen sessions, emphasizing that the team is monitoring his response closely.FantasyPros
CBS Sports confirmed that Smith reported feeling “pain‑free” after the resumed activities, describing the session as a “positive step forward” for his recovery timeline.CBS Sports The outlet quoted the team’s trainer as saying the catcher’s range of motion had improved and that he was tolerating the workload without aggravating the neck.
However, the optimism proved short‑lived. A later piece from DodgersBeat reported that Smith’s recovery “stalled,” prompting the club to shut him down from further on‑field work for the remainder of the regular season.DodgersBeat MLB.com provided the most detailed update, stating that Smith continued to experience neck discomfort and that the organization would not bring him back until after the All‑Star break, effectively ending his participation in the first half of the schedule.MLB.com
The timeline suggests Smith’s return to full competition is now projected for mid‑July at the earliest, a shift from the earlier hope that he might rejoin the lineup before the break.
Why it matters
Will Smith is the Dodgers’ primary catcher and a key component of their defensive strategy. He logged a career‑high 122 games last season, handling a pitching staff that posted a league‑best ERA. His ability to call games, frame pitches, and control the running game has been cited as a factor in the Dodgers’ early‑season success.MLB.com
The Dodgers are currently leading the National League West and are positioned as a strong postseason contender. Losing a starting catcher for an extended stretch forces the team to rely on backup catcher Alejandro Kirk and rookie prospects, which could affect pitcher‑catcher chemistry and defensive stability. Moreover, Smith’s offensive contributions—he hit .260 with nine home runs before the injury—provide middle‑of‑the‑order power that the Dodgers have missed.
From a broader perspective, Smith’s situation highlights the challenges of managing musculoskeletal injuries in a sport where repetitive throwing and squatting place constant stress on the cervical spine. Teams are increasingly using advanced imaging and graded return‑to‑play protocols, but the variability in individual healing can still disrupt roster planning.
Reactions
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts, speaking to NBC Sports, expressed cautious optimism after Smith’s first practice, saying the catcher “looked comfortable” and that the team “will keep a close eye on how his neck feels moving forward.”NBC Sports The club’s director of player health, Dr. John McDonald, was quoted by CBS Sports as emphasizing that “pain‑free” does not equal “fully healed,” and that the medical staff will not rush a return that could jeopardize Smith’s long‑term health.CBS Sports
Conversely, an analyst from FantasyPros noted that the Dodgers’ depth at catcher is “adequate for the short term,” but the loss of Smith’s veteran presence could affect younger pitchers who rely on his game‑calling expertise.FantasyPros DodgersBeat highlighted fan frustration on social media, with several supporters questioning whether the team should have been more aggressive in the initial treatment plan, given the importance of the position.DodgersBeat
What’s next
The Dodgers have slated Smith to continue a regimen of physical therapy, light conditioning, and regular evaluations through the All‑Star break. MLB.com reported that the team expects to reassess his status after the break, with a tentative timeline for a full return in late July.
If Smith is cleared, he will likely rejoin the roster in a limited role initially, perhaps appearing in late‑inning defensive substitutions before resuming regular catching duties. The club’s backup catchers will continue to see increased playing time, providing a small sample size for the front office to evaluate long‑term depth at the position.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers will need to manage the workload of their pitching staff, ensuring that any adjustments made in Smith’s absence do not create fatigue or inconsistency as the season progresses toward the postseason.