With the Los Angeles Dodgers wrapping up their six-game homestand on Sunday, manager Dave Roberts provided updates on a few key players ahead of a lengthy road trip. 

Will Smith, the Dodgers' primary man behind the dish, has been sidelined with neck inflammation since June 6. At first, the outlook in Smith's injury looked positive. As time passed, stagnant progress hindered the three-time All-Star's recovery. 

A cortisone shot to reduce pain was administered to Smith to “let it settle," according to Roberts. Still, Roberts told the media on Father's Day Sunday that Smith will not travel with the club while they embark on a nine-game road trip away from home. 

"He will not travel with us," Roberts told reporters during Sunday's pregame media scrum. "The hopeful prognosis is he [Smith] starts doing baseball activity next week and doesn't have any ill-effects from playing." 

Roberts added that he "assumes" Smith will return with the team as soon as the road trip is over, but that depends on Smith's continued recovery. Along with the missed time for the 31-year-old, Roberts said that a rehab assignment before he rejoins the team "makes sense."

Along with Smith, Teoscar Hernández has been absent from the team since he was placed on the Injured List with a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring on May 29. 

Since then, it's been a steady upclimb for Hernández, as he's been seen doing explosive running drills at Dodger Stadium. 

He looks to make the next crucial step in his recovery, as he's set to go out on a rehab assignment, spanning four to five days, according to Roberts. 

Roberts added that Hernández will leave on Monday to begin his rehab with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The plan for the 33-year-old is that he plays next Tuesday with the Comets in Reno and Roberts hopes that Hernández rejoins Los Angeles for their series in Sacramento against the Athletics. 

Just before Hernández landed on the IL, he began to turn his season around at the plate, as he slashed .325/.400/.482 in 83 at-bats throughout the month of May. 

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