# Dodgers' roster moves and injury updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dodgers-catcher-will-smith-injury > Updated: 2026-08-31T14:03:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 14. The Dodgers have continued to juggle a cascade of injuries to key players. After an inflamed disc and neck stiffness sidelined All‑Star catcher Will Smith in early June, the club placed him on a 10‑day IL on June 11 and later moved him to the injured list with an indefinite absence. While manager Dave Roberts initially suggested a mid-to-late August return, the recovery process has been described by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman as “uncharted territory.” By late August, Smith began taking live batting practice, with Roberts indicating a potential rehab assignment and a goal of activation by early to mid-September to ensure readiness for the postseason. Smith has since completed a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, recording four hits in 16 at-bats, including a home run and two doubles. He is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. Roberts noted Smith’s importance for providing stability to the lineup and pitching staff, noting that the team’s collective pitching ERA rose from 3.03 to 4.09 during his absence. Smith’s absence placed additional strain on the roster, requiring the use of Dalton Rushing, Eliezer Alfonzo, Hunter Feduccia, Chuckie Robinson, and Ben Rortvedt. Additionally, reliever Blake Treinen has completed a rehab assignment with Oklahoma City after being sidelined since June 19 with elbow inflammation, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings across seven games. Both Smith and Treinen will require roster moves to return to the active 40-man roster. Shohei Ohtani’s left-knee injury remains unresolved; the club has kept him in the lineup as a DH and has repeatedly stressed that his pitching return is being saved for the October playoff stretch. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Will Smith set to return to Los Angeles Dodgers after rehab Dodgers catcher Will Smith and reliever Blake Treinen have completed rehab assignments and are expected to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers roster this Tuesday. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/will-smith-set-to-return-to-los-angeles-dodgers-after-rehab ### 2026-08-22: Will Smith nears return for Los Angeles Dodgers Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith has begun live batting practice, nearing a return from a neck injury that could see him back in the lineup by early September for the postseason push. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/will-smith-nears-return-for-los-angeles-dodgers ### 2026-08-06: Los Angeles Dodgers criticized for costly pitcher signing and manager's challenge decision The Dodgers' expensive signing of pitcher Tuliq Skubal and manager Dave Roberts' refusal to challenge a failed steal by Shohei Ohtani have drawn sharp criticism. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-face-pitching-crisis-as-ohtanis-return-remains-uncertain ### 2026-07-31: Los Angeles Dodgers anticipate catcher Will Smith's return in August Los Angeles Dodgers expect injured catcher Will Smith to return in mid‑to‑late August after a neck injury, with backups Dalton Rushing and Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. covering in his absence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-anticipate-catcher-will-smiths-return-in-august ### 2026-07-29: Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith pain‑free, easing trade‑deadline catcher need Dodgers catcher Will Smith is pain‑free and back to baseball activities, easing the team's need to seek a trade‑deadline catcher replacement. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-catcher-will-smith-painfree-easing-tradedeadline-catcher-need ### 2026-07-24: Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Return Delayed by Dodgers Until Postseason Dodgers say Shohei Ohtani’s knee injury prevents a pitching comeback this summer; manager Dave Roberts emphasizes waiting until the October playoffs. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-weigh-catcher-replacement-amid-ohtani-pitching-concerns ### 2026-07-21: Los Angeles Dodgers deal catcher setback and eye pitcher comeback before Mets series Los Angeles Dodgers put catcher Will Smith on a 60‑day IL, prompting fan dismay, while pitcher Edwin Diaz is set to return and could face former team the Mets this weekend. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-deal-catcher-setback-and-eye-pitcher-comeback-before-mets-series ### 2026-07-20: Los Angeles Dodgers consider trades as Ohtani knee and Will Smith injuries linger The Dodgers, coping with Shohei Ohtani’s knee issue and Will Smith’s neck injury, are exploring bullpen use, spot starts and trade options, including a Mets backup catcher and a Reds utility player, as the July 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-weigh-trade-moves-amid-catcher-will-smith-injury ### 2026-07-18: Aaron Judge and Dodgers Catcher Will Smith Move to Injured Lists Aaron Judge is placed on the Yankees’ 60‑day IL, while Dodgers catcher Will Smith stays on the IL as the club weighs options for the postseason. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aaron-judge-and-dodgers-catcher-will-smith-move-to-injured-lists ### 2026-07-18: Los Angeles Dodgers face catcher shortage as Will Smith sidelined before trade deadline Will Smith’s neck injury sidelines the Dodgers’ catcher until at least mid‑August, forcing the team to seek a trade for a replacement before the Aug 3 deadline. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dodgers-seek-catcher-as-will-smith-sidelined-before-trade-deadline ### 2026-06-30: Shohei Ohtani faces catcher shortage as Will Smith sidelined and former teammate Anthony Banda placed on IL Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out for weeks, likely returning after the All‑Star break, while former teammate Anthony Banda lands on the Twins’ IL with a back injury, affecting both teams and Ohtani’s roster. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shohei-ohtani-faces-catcher-shortage-as-will-smith-sidelined-and-former-teammate-anthony-banda-place ### 2026-06-27: Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith faces indefinite absence with neck injury Dodgers catcher Will Smith is on the injured list with a lingering neck injury, leaving his return date uncertain; Dalton Rushing has stepped in as starter. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-catcher-will-smith-faces-indefinite-absence-with-neck-injury ### 2026-06-09: Los Angeles Dodgers place catcher Will Smith on injured list The Dodgers put catcher Will Smith on the 10‑day injured list with neck inflammation, calling up Chuckie Robinson while Dalton Rushing assumes catching duties. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-catcher-will-smith-out-with-neck-injury ### 2026-06-07: Dodgers Extend NL West Lead as Catcher Will Smith Faces Neck Injury Dodgers take two of three vs. Angels, widening NL West lead; catcher Will Smith has a neck injury and may miss the next game. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dodgers-extend-nl-west-lead-as-catcher-will-smith-faces-neck-injury --- Cite as: Dodgers' roster moves and injury updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dodgers-catcher-will-smith-injury