The Los Angeles Dodgers are hopeful their star catcher, Will Smith, will return to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies after suffering a frightening hand injury earlier this week. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters, via Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, that Smith, who was sidelined Monday due to a bruised right hand, could rejoin the lineup as soon as Tuesday. Should that happen, Ben Rortvedt would revert to his role as backup.
Smith was forced from Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after a foul ball struck his right hand in the bottom of the second inning. Dalton Rushing pinch-hit for him and handled the remainder of the game behind the plate. Initial fears of a prolonged absence were alleviated after CT scan results showed no fracture, allowing the Dodgers to avoid placing him on the 10-day injured list.
Dodgers Expect Will Smith To Return From Injury As Soon As Tuesday
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“That’s a good question. I don’t know that answer,” Roberts said when asked about potential effects on Smith’s offense. “A bone bruise like that is probably going to be there for the rest of the season. How much it impedes his swing or throwing – don’t know that answer. The swelling is just not going to be completely gone by this season. I think it will be manageable and I hope it’s not too affecting.”
Despite the hand issue, Smith has been enjoying a career season in 2025. He’s hitting .296/.405/.497 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, and 61 RBIs, posting a 153 wRC+, second only to Shohei Ohtani on the Dodgers. Any significant reduction in production would be a major blow for a team already struggling offensively, particularly over the past 30 games and especially the last 15, where only the Rockies and Angels have scored fewer runs.
The injury also opened a short-lived opportunity for rookie Dalton Rushing to see more regular playing time. However, Rushing left Friday’s game due to a lower-leg contusion sustained when he fouled a ball off his shin. X-rays and CT scans ruled out a fracture, but he was placed on the injured list with a shin contusion.
With Smith expected back soon, the Dodgers hope to stabilize a lineup that has struggled to produce consistently. Roberts’ confidence in Smith’s ability to manage the lingering bone bruise offers a measure of reassurance, though the team will monitor how it impacts his swing and throwing for the remainder of the season.