The Los Angeles Dodgers, for the second straight year, have seen Will Smith miss a notable period of time due to an injury.
In 2025, things were a lot more dire, with Smith going down first, and then a recently called-up Dalton Rushing also went on the injured list.
The Dodgers ended up turning to veteran Ben Rorvedt, who became known for his biceps, and managed to get by until the postseason, where Smith was available.
LA would be fine with those chains of events happening again this year, but Smith’s neck injury has unraveled to the point that it seemingly does not get any better.
Smith took an injection for the pain, hoping to let it subside enough for a ramp-up, but now, more than a month into his IL stint, he has not resumed a full workload of baseball activities.
In the meantime, Dalton Rushing has been producing like a starting-caliber catcher, along with having warts of a player in his first full season.
Additionally, regarding the backup catcher, the Dodgers have used Chuckie Robinson, more of a defensive catcher, who has since been designated for assignment, and are now giving Elizer Alfonzo a look, a long-time minor leaguer.
Naturally, since the Dodgers only have one catcher with tangible experience in the major leagues, there are questions about whether they may target one at the deadline just in case Smith’s lack of progress continues.
Will the Dodgers trade for a catcher?
According to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, the Dodgers are unlikely to go after a veteran catcher, but rather, they will look to improve their prospect catcher depth.
“As far as the catching position, I don’t see the Dodgers making a move on the major-league side for a veteran. I could see them trying to reconfigure their long-term catching pipeline,” Ardaya wrote.
“But the Dodgers view this window for Smith (which manager Dave Roberts told AM 570 this week could linger into August) as an extended development period for Dalton Rushing. The Dodgers called up Eliezer Alfonzo because they want him to get a look, too. They like him.
“It should also be said how difficult it can be to port over a catcher midseason. Ben Rortvedt worked through it as he emerged as the Dodgers’ backup catcher in the postseason, with some growing pains, particularly in learning some of the team’s relievers.”
The Dodgers, if they continue to give Rushing more leash, should end up with a more refined backup who will have more time to fully understand what it takes to be a starting catcher.
He is already growing at the plate and behind it, and if he continues to do so, it only bodes well for the Dodgers.
