The Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to hold the best record in the MLB despite a long list of injuries to top players.
Reinforcements are beginning to return, but the Dodgers remain uncertain about the future of catcher Will Smith, who is dealing with disc inflammation and neck stiffness.
On Tuesday before the Dodgers’ series-opener against the Seattle Mariners, manager Dave Roberts provided a relieving update on Smith.
The All-Star catcher is pain-free and has resumed baseball activities, Roberts told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
He remains without a timetable to return. However, a return sometime in August is looking more realistic.
Details on Will Smith’s Lingering Neck Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers were only receiving negative news on the neck injury to catcher Will Smith. After being transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 21, he has now resumed baseball activities. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Smith, 31, has been sidelined since early June due to disc inflammation and neck stiffness.
He was transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list on July 21. This led to a pile of questions about the All-Star catcher.
The injury was initially thought to be a short absence. More information would be developed on the unknown setback, and Smith would be placed on the injured list. The hope was that it would be a short stint.
Smith would receive an injection a couple of weeks after the injury, but it “did not provide sufficient relief,” said MLB.com’s Sonja Chen.
After a career year in 2025, Will Smith has struggled at the plate in 2026. Through 52 games, the 31-year-old catcher is batting .249/.338/.382 with six home runs and 23 RBI.
Los Angeles has since replaced Will Smith with 25-year-old Dalton Rushing.
Dodgers Receive Positive News on Edwin Diaz, Kike Hernandez, and Blake Snell
The Los Angeles Dodgers activated utility man Kike Hernandez from the injured list on Tuesday. On top of this, the Dodgers received key injury updates to pitchers Edwin Diaz and Blake Snell. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Despite still showing great success, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been dealing with their fair share of injuries throughout 2026.
Ahead of the Dodgers’ series opener against the Seattle Mariners, the team announced multiple injury updates to key players.
Closing pitcher Edwin Diaz has been out since late April. The first-year Dodger underwent surgery to address loose bodies in his throwing elbow. Dave Roberts said he will be activated on Wednesday, according to AM 570’s Dave Vassegh.
Utility man Kike Hernandez suffered a left oblique tear in late May. It was his second significant injury of 2026. Hernandez started 2026 on the injured list after undergoing left elbow surgery.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game, the Dodgers activated the 34-year-old from the injured list. In a corresponding move, Los Angeles optioned Alex Freeland to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow surgery) hasn’t started a game since May 9. He is scheduled to start rehab for the third time on Wednesday. This start is anticipated to feature 60 pitches from the former Cy Young Award winner, said The Athletic’s Katie Woo.
Los Angeles is beginning to get reinforcements back in the second half of the regular season.
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