Dave Roberts Provides Update on Will Smith After Exiting Tuesday’s Dodgers Game
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an update regarding catcher Will Smith after he exited Tuesday’s Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Smith, who was hit by a pitch on his left knee, was pinch ran for as a precaution, according to Roberts. He would have only caught one more inning if he stayed in the game, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Hunter Feduccia replaced Smith behind the plate after Smith was lifted in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Smith has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury since last June, when he first sustained it during a series against the Yankees. The issue, later diagnosed as a bone bruise, has persisted for nine months and continued to affect him this spring.
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The ankle injury remained under the radar until the start of camp, when Roberts revealed that the 29-year-old catcher would sit out the beginning of Cactus League action to allow for additional recovery. Smith is entering the second season of his 10-year, $140 million extension signed last March.
Despite a delayed start to camp, Smith has managed to appear in Cactus League games over the past week. However, the injury doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
“I just don’t think it’s something that’s gonna go away anytime soon,” Roberts said, via Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times. “It just kind of is what it is.”
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Smith returned to action Friday night, going 0-for-3 and catching five innings in the Dodgers’ win over the Angels. He said his ankle felt completely fine, and with less than three weeks until the season opener in Japan, there’s no concern about his availability.
Smith didn’t seem to be in significant pain Tuesday night after being struck by the 79.7 mph sweeper and the update from Roberts is positive.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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