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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts drops honest Will Smith admission after latest injury update
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- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts drops honest Will Smith admission after latest injury update
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts drops honest Will Smith admission after latest injury update appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Dodgers enter July with baseball's best record, but Will Smith 's injury update added another concern on Wednesday as manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the catcher's recovery has taken longer than expected.
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Smith remains sidelined by a neck injury and has not yet resumed baseball activities, leaving his return timeline uncertain. The delay matters because his role extends well beyond one spot in the lineup. He helps guide the pitching staff, controls the pace behind the plate, and brings steady middle-of-the-order production to a roster built around another deep postseason push.
The Athletic's Katie Woo spoke with Roberts and shared his assessment on X, formerly Twitter, one day after the Dodgers manager earned career win No. 1,000.
"Certainly longer than all of us expected"
Roberts' admission stood out because managers often keep injury updates measured, especially with a player as important as Smith. His wording made clear that the neck issue has deviated from the timeline the club initially hoped for, even if Los Angeles has not presented it as a long-term concern.
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The Dodgers remain in a commanding position at 56-30 with a 12.5-game lead in the NL West. Their cushion gives them room to be patient, but contenders cannot ignore a prolonged absence at catcher, particularly with the trade deadline approaching.
L.A. can absorb short-term injuries better than most teams because of its depth, yet the veteran catcher's value is difficult to replace. His connection with the pitching staff and consistent offensive presence make his status more significant than a routine roster absence.
For Roberts, the message balanced patience with honesty. Smith's delayed ramp-up leaves the Dodgers waiting longer than planned, and they must keep managing the position carefully while hoping their All-Star catcher can resume baseball work soon as the second half takes shape and October planning moves closer again for a roster built to win now.
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