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The Los Angeles Dodgers broke a two-game losing streak with a win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday and now they have fewer than a dozen games until the playoffs begin.
After another blockbuster offseason of star additions, the Dodgers have reason to hope for a repeat World Series championship next month. But the bullpen has emerged as a significant question mark. And the team was dealt another blow to those hopes when manager Dave Roberts announced the latest on superstar catcher Will Smith.
“Will Smith will not be ready to be activated when he’s eligible on Saturday, Dave Roberts said,” according to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. “He will likely see some live pitching next week while the Dodgers are in Arizona.”
The team placed Smith on the 10-day injured list earlier this month after he was struggling to recover from a foul tip that struck his right hand against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberts expressed some regret about not placing the catcher on the injured list earlier and now it seems he is in danger of missing the rest of the regular season.
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 05: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 5, 2025 in…
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 05: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 5, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Taetsch/Getty
And any missed time for Smith that extends into the playoffs would be a major blow to the Dodgers. Now in his second season of a 10-year, $140 million contract with the team, he earned a third consecutive All-Star nod with a .296/.404/.497 season.
The Dodgers have been leaning on Ben Rortvedt and Chuckie Robinson in recent starts without Smith available, but their bench options hardly compare to the All-Star everyday starter, particularly this season.
As his stint on the injured list extends longer than hoped, though, the Dodgers will have little choice but to continue trusting their backups as Smith tries to recover for October.
More MLB: Phillies’ Likely NLDS Starting Rotation Revealed by Insider