Dodgers catcher Will Smith’s comeback takes big step forward after ‘pain free’ update

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is still on the 60-day injured list, but he appears to be making progress.

Before Monday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared an encouraging update on the backstop.

“Each day has been better. This is going to be a big week for Will. He’s pain free,” Roberts said (h/t Fred Cervantes of The Sporting Tribune).

Smith last saw action in a June 5 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and was placed on the injured list five days later by the reigning World Series champions with a neck injury. A three-time All-Star, Smith is batting .249/.338/.382 with six home runs and 23 RBIs through 52 games in the 2026 MLB season, thus far.

Adding to the Dodgers’ woes in the catcher position is the injury status of Smith’s main backup, Dalton Rushing, who landed on the injured list (10-day) last week because of an elbow issue. With injuries hounding the position, the Dodgers recently made a couple of roster moves to add Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt.

The health issues in their catching room are surely not helping the Dodgers, who have been performing below their lofty standards of late. They have won just one of their last nine games entering the Kansas City series. Nevertheless, Los Angeles remains atop the National League West standings by a mile with a 70-48 record.

In any case, it is great for Dodgers fans to hear a positive update on Smith, who is in his eighth season with Los Angeles.

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