Dodgers to Welcome Back Smith as September Roster Expansion Begins

The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing the return of one of their most important players, with catcher Will Smith expected to rejoin the club Tuesday after spending nearly three months on the Injured List.

Smith has been out since June with an inflamed disc in his neck, an issue that kept him sidelined longer than initially anticipated. His absence has left the Dodgers without one of their most reliable offensive contributors and an experienced presence behind the plate.

The veteran catcher recently took another significant step toward returning to the major leagues when he began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The assignment gave Smith an opportunity to face live pitching and get back into the rhythm of playing regularly before returning to the Dodgers.

His return comes at an important time for Los Angeles. The Dodgers have struggled offensively for much of the second half, and Smith could provide a needed boost as the club enters the final month of the regular season.

Smith was not having his best offensive season before suffering the injury. He was batting .249 with a .720 OPS when he was placed on the Injured List. Those numbers are below what the Dodgers have come to expect from their starting catcher, but his overall value extends beyond his production at the plate.

Smith's experience and familiarity with the pitching staff should also be valuable down the stretch. He has been the Dodgers' primary catcher for several seasons and has developed a strong understanding of the club's pitchers. Having that continuity back behind the plate could be especially important as Los Angeles prepares for the postseason.

Smith's activation is also expected to coincide with the expansion of active rosters from 26 to 28 players in September. However, the Dodgers are unlikely to carry three catchers for an extended period, meaning either Ben Rortvedt or Hunter Feduccia could be removed from the active roster when Smith returns.

That could create an opportunity for Los Angeles to add another position player. The Dodgers are still evaluating their options, but a left-handed hitter appears to be a possibility.

Several left-handed bats already on the 40-man roster could receive consideration, including Alex Freeland, Hyeseong Kim and Ryan Ward. Whoever receives the opportunity would likely have a complementary role rather than immediately become an everyday player.

The Dodgers still have several regulars they want to see find their form before the postseason arrives. Rather than making significant lineup changes immediately, the club appears willing to give its established hitters an opportunity to work through their struggles.

That approach could change if the offensive problems continue into September.

The Dodgers have championship aspirations, and the final weeks of the regular season will be important in determining which players can be trusted when the games become more meaningful. Smith's return gives the lineup another established piece while also restoring stability at a critical defensive position.

For a team trying to find its rhythm before October, getting Smith back could be one of the more important developments of the Dodgers' final month.