sports
Dodgers Shut Down Catcher Will Smith for at Least One Week
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Will Smith will do nothing for at least a week while recovering from a neck injury that has already sidelined him for five weeks. The trade deadline is two weeks away.
Jul 18, 7:00 AM·1m read1 source
winnipegfreepress.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have shut down catcher Will Smith for at least one week, nypost.com reported. Smith has already missed five weeks with an inflamed disk in his neck and is not hitting, catching or throwing. Manager Dave Roberts stated on Friday that the team does not know whether Smith will return this season but is counting on it.
The decision to shut down the three-time All-Star reflects a change in the medical staff’s approach rather than a worsening of his condition. Head trainer Thomas Albert reported that Smith feels no pain after several days of complete rest. Roberts said Smith is not expected back until the end of next month at the earliest.
The MLB trade deadline falls on August 3. The Dodgers cannot enter the playoffs with Dalton Rushing as their only viable catcher. Ben Rortvedt, who caught games for the Dodgers in last year’s postseason, remains a possible option.
190 in 18 games with Los Angeles last year. Smith hit the 11th-inning home run that decided Game 7 of the World Series against the Blue Jays and has five career walk-off homers.
