Dave Roberts said Will Smith sat out the Dodgers’ lineup due to back tightness, with optimism he’ll be back by Sunday.
Will Smith’s role for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been so steady over the past stretch that even a routine lineup change draws attention.
On Saturday, the spotlight briefly shifted from the Dodgers’ opponent to their catcher. Dave Roberts revealed that Smith was held out because of back tightness, an update that changes the context of Friday’s game and sets the tone for how the team will manage the week.
The timing matters.. Earlier in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs. Smith made an impact that looked like it could turn into a momentum swing—drilling a three-run home run in the third inning.. The Dodgers still ended up falling 6-4. but moments like that remind fans why Smith is often treated as more than a single position on the roster.. He has become a stabilizing presence behind the plate and a consistent threat at the plate.
Through the season. Smith’s production has remained a big part of why the Dodgers’ offense functions the way it does—especially during high-leverage stretches.. Across 24 appearances, he has posted a .266 batting average, a .337 on-base percentage, a .729 OPS, along with three home runs and 14 RBIs.. Those numbers don’t just signal “good hitting.” They point to a catcher who can influence at-bats in different ways: timing. contact quality. and the ability to make pitchers pay when sequences get away from them.
Why Dave Roberts’ news matters for the Dodgers
That kind of optimism is important because Smith’s value isn’t limited to the batter’s box.. A catcher’s workload affects pitchers, pitch-calling rhythm, and the day-to-day flow of an entire pitching staff.. When a key catcher is out, teams often need to recalibrate everything from timing to defensive positioning.. Even if the drop-off isn’t dramatic, there’s still a practical ripple effect.
The lineup reality: Dalton Rushing steps in
Rushing has been more than a placeholder.. His early work in the role has been described as strong. and the broader point for the Dodgers is that they have capable depth.. That depth doesn’t change what Smith brings when he’s healthy. but it does make it easier to absorb short-term adjustments without forcing the staff into risky choices.
Bigger picture: staying healthy during a long season
There is also a psychological layer.. Smith’s 2025 postseason run followed a reminder of how quickly things can shift: he dealt with a fractured right hand in September that cost him time and interrupted the start of the playoffs run.. The fact that the organization is speaking with confidence now suggests they’re trying to avoid a repeat pattern—catching the issue early. stepping carefully. and keeping the season on track.
For fans, this is the moment where attention usually turns from “how did they lose the game?” to “will they lose the player?” Roberts’ clarity helps answer the second question for the near term.
What comes next for Smith and the Dodgers
There’s also a contractual and strategic dimension to the concern.. Smith is under a long-term deal, signed through the 2033 season on a 10-year, $140 million contract.. That kind of investment usually comes with an assumption of sustained availability and production. so managing health becomes part of protecting the roster’s larger plan.
For now. the tone is controlled and optimistic: back tightness has sidelined Smith from the starting lineup. but it hasn’t escalated into a bigger worry.. The Dodgers’ hope is straightforward—let him recover properly. get him back behind the plate soon. and keep the team’s momentum from being interrupted by something that can often be handled when caught early.